Someone walked into our office with a letter in hand.

It said a recently deceased family member had invested money with some organization, and—good news—those funds were ready to come back.

There was just one catch: they needed to send a substantial payment upfront to claim it.

On the surface, it sounded promising. Maybe even like a relief during a difficult time.

It absolutely wasn't.

The Red Flags (They Were Everywhere)

We took one look and the alarm bells rung:

  • The recipient's name was wrong
  • The branding looked... off
  • The email came from a Gmail account
  • They wanted money before releasing the funds

That last one? Usually your biggest clue something's wrong.

We told this person to stop, walk away, and report it to police.

Here's What Really Got Under My Skin

What was especially bothering is how calculated it was.

This sender knew things—personal details about the deceased, past financial moves, background information. The kind of information that should be private.

And, it's not as hard to dig up as you'd think. Online presence, public records, bits and pieces scattered here and there. String it together with perfect timing, and suddenly it feels credible.

The Planning Gap Nobody Talks About

Here's the thing: most people get that they need a will. That part makes sense.

But how many think about documenting their financial life so the people left behind actually know what's there?

When someone dies, their executor or family is suddenly playing detective:

  • What accounts are out there?
  • Where's the money actually held?
  • What investments did they make?
  • Is this claim even real, or am I being scammed?

Without a clear picture, that last question becomes impossibly hard to answer.

Uncertainty Is a Scammer's Best Friend

Think about it from the fraudster's perspective: if your family doesn't know whether an investment exists, a convincing-sounding story starts to feel plausible.

Add in some urgency. Throw in a big number. Hit them when they're grieving and exhausted.

Suddenly, people make decisions they normally wouldn't.

One Simple Thing That Actually Helps

You don't need anything fancy here. Just a straightforward record your executor can actually use.

Think of it as a financial roadmap:

  • Where your accounts are
  • What institutions hold your money
  • Who your advisors or contacts are
  • Any debts or obligations people should know about

Something they can turn to and quickly figure out: Does this claim even make sense?

The Real Point

Fraud doesn't always show up looking like a scam. Sometimes it walks in the door dressed as an opportunity—right when people are most vulnerable and least equipped to spot it.

Estate planning isn't just about deciding who gets what.

It's also about leaving enough clarity so the people handling your affairs can make good decisions. So they're not left in the dark, second-guessing everything.

Because when you're guessing, you're exposed. And that's exactly where scammers want you.