Victoria BC, February 24, 2025 – When you lose a loved one, the last thing you want to worry about is their obituary being copied and used to scam people out of their hard-earned money. Sadly, that’s exactly what’s happening online, but there are ways to protect yourself and your loved one’s memory.
As the provincial regulator for the funeral, cemetery and crematorium industry, Consumer Protection BC is warning consumers to be vigilant before handing money over in memory of a loved one. The funeral industry has received reports of some websites pirating or copying information pulled from legitimate obituaries to solicit donations or sell memorial gifts such as flowers on behalf of grieving families. Instead of supporting someone you care for, the bad actors make off with the money.
The best way to protect yourself is to know who you’re giving to.
- Ensure the obituary is posted by an organization you recognize, such as a funeral home or a local newspaper
- Call the funeral service provider listed on the obituary to verify they are soliciting donations on behalf of the family
- If it’s appropriate, talk to someone close to the family and confirm their wishes
- Search for the name of the funeral home or crematorium on the Consumer Protection BC website to ensure the company is licensed to operate in BC
The regulator has reviewed the practices involved in online obituary piracy and considers the activity fraud. Consumer Protection BC is not responsible for dealing with issues of fraud, but there are other resources that can help. If you think you or someone you know is a victim of obituary piracy, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local police department.
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About Consumer Protection BC
Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in the province. Their mandate is to license and inspect their regulated businesses, respond to consumer inquiries, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws, and classify all general release motion pictures.
For more information about Consumer Protection BC, to read their recent enforcement actions, and to learn about their inspection and complaint-handling processes, please visit their website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or read their blog for valuable consumer tips and resources.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Louise Hartland,
Director, Public Relations
media@consumerprotectionbc.ca
236-664-1626