Shocking Surge: Phishing Attacks Skyrocket
July 12, 2024
Protect Yourself and Your Staff from Cyber Crime
Since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, phishing attacks have surged by a staggering 4,151%. The funeral profession has not been spared from this alarming trend.
More funeral home staff than ever are contacting us with reports of receiving phishing emails. If not promptly addressed, these cyber threats can lead to significant financial and reputational damage as sensitive information is stolen and exploited.
Why is the Funeral Profession a Target?
- Sensitive Data: Funeral homes handle a lot of sensitive and personal information that is valuable to attackers.
- Emotional Context: The empathetic nature of funeral professionals makes it easier for attackers to take advantage of staff.
- Industry Adaptation: As the funeral profession becomes more digital, it opens new avenues for cyber threats.
Signs an Email is a Scam
- Uses a suspicious email address (it might look like a company’s name but is slightly off)
- Noticeable spelling errors and/or odd formatting
- Attachments that don’t seem to make sense
- Generic greetings like “dear user” or “valued customer”
- Claims your account is on hold due to a billing problem
- Invites you to click a link to update payment details
How to Avoid Phishing Attacks
- Educate Staff: Train employees to recognize phishing attempts and avoid clicking suspicious links or attachments.
- Verify Requests: Always verify the authenticity of requests for sensitive information, especially urgent or unfamiliar ones.
- Email Security: Implement robust email security measures, including spam filters and email authentication protocols.
- Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
- Update Software: Keep all systems and software up to date with the latest security patches.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Establish a clear process with your staff for reporting suspicious emails or activities.
- Backup Data: Regularly back up your data to ensure recovery in case of an attack.
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And how smart funeral professionals are staying ahead
Trend ReCON to feature data and insights you won’t find anywhere else.
Anthem Partners, a leading operator of funeral homes and cemeteries throughout North America, is excited to announce the company has recently developed a strategic partnership with Tribute Technology, a leader in digital solutions for the funeral profession. As the first step in this partnership, all websites for the Anthem Partners’ locations have been updated and moved to the Tribute Technology platform.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to head to Nashville—consider this your sign.
We were flooded with questions during and after our recent Tribute Technology webinar, “ Why Obituaries Should Be Your #1 Focus This Year. ” The session explored a powerful shift in how obituary pages can drive long-term value—and introduced a new opportunity: Tribute Technology’s partnership with Chptr , a company that broadcasts death notices on local TV as part of nightly news segments. Joining us live was Chptr’s Founder and CEO, Rehan Choudhry , who helped funeral professionals understand how this partnership—and the new Tribute Spotlights offering—can strengthen their brand, serve families better, and reconnect with their communities in a meaningful way. If you missed the webinar, you can watch it here . We’ve also rounded up the top questions from attendees—along with expert answers—to help you quickly get up to speed. 1. Can Tribute Spotlights video announcements be shared on our funeral home’s YouTube channel? Absolutely. Both the funeral home and the family receive the finished video, which means you can post it to YouTube, add it to your website, or share it across your social media channels. It’s an easy, shareable way to extend the obituary’s reach. 2. Are some funeral homes paying for the service themselves to grow market share? Yes—and they’re seeing it as a smart investment. Many funeral homes are covering the cost of Tribute Spotlights to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. It’s an added-value service that leaves a lasting impression with families and builds long-term brand recognition in the community. 3. Is it broadcast over-the-air (OTA) and on linear TV? Yes, in most markets. Death announcements air on both: Over-the-air (OTA) : Free, local channels accessible via antenna Linear TV : Scheduled programming via cable or satellite This dual approach ensures maximum exposure, especially for audiences that may not use streaming platforms. 4. Are Tribute Spotlights videos only on-air, or are they also online? Both. Announcements are featured during designated TV broadcast times and published on the station’s memorials webpage, offering families and communities multiple ways to engage. 5. How long are the videos? Each segment is 30 seconds , with individual obituaries typically receiving 3–5 seconds per airing. 6. Does Tribute Spotlights work with CFS websites or only Tribute sites? Tribute Spotlights integrate with all website platforms—including CFS —so you don’t need to change your provider to take advantage of this service. 7. How do families know when and where to watch the broadcast? Each participating market has set channels and air times. Your funeral home will receive all the relevant details, so you can easily pass them along to the families you serve. 8. If we have multiple obituaries, do they split the 30-second segment? Yes. If you submit four obituaries, for example, each typically receives around 7 seconds . In some markets, your funeral home may even qualify for exclusive broadcast segments. 9. Who owns the obituary video? You and the family do. Both parties receive copies with full rights to use, post, or share the video however they’d like. 10. Does each announcement get a full 30 seconds? No, but frequency matters. Each announcement usually gets 3–5 seconds , and they’re aired multiple times —often 10 or more—to maximize reach and visibility. 11. Can we get reporting from the local station? Yes. Tribute Spotlights and Chptr provide pre- and post-airing reports with full analytics, so you can track performance, exposure, and community impact. 12. What’s the average cost per TV spot? Thanks to Tribute Technology’s negotiated pricing , the full announcement package—which includes TV broadcast, video production, and social media distribution—is just $225 on average. Volume discounts are available for funeral homes bundling multiple announcements. Ready to Learn More? Tribute Spotlights is a unique and affordable way to elevate the services you offer while helping families feel honored, seen, and remembered. Whether you're interested in expanding your reach, enhancing your brand, or simply offering something new and meaningful, this tool was designed with your funeral home in mind. Have more questions? We’re always here to help.
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