Urgent Scam Alert: Credit Card Fraud Targeting Funeral Homes
July 8, 2025
Watch out for fake service requests involving third-party payment transfers.
Multiple funeral homes have recently been targeted by a sophisticated credit card scam — and we want to help you and your staff stay protected.
The scam begins with someone contacting a funeral home to plan a memorial service — often providing specific details like a clergy member, a short visitation, and live music. The request sounds legitimate, but the goal is to involve the funeral home in a fraudulent financial transaction.
Here’s how the scam typically works:
- A person posing as a family member asks the funeral home to book and pay an outside vendor (usually a band or performer) on their behalf.
- The scammer provides a credit card to cover the full cost of the service, including the vendor payment.
- The vendor, however, only accepts wire transfers, and urges the funeral home to send the money quickly.
- Once the money is wired, the original credit card charge is reversed or found to be fraudulent, leaving the funeral home liable for the loss.
Red flags to watch for:
- Requests to pay third-party vendors directly using funds passed through the funeral home
- Vendors who won’t accept credit cards or checks and insist on wire transfers
- Out-of-state callers or unfamiliar names that can’t be easily verified
- Obituaries or service details that feel generic, vague, or inconsistent
- High-dollar transactions with urgent or last-minute timing
How to protect your firm:
- Decline to act as a middleman for vendor payments
- Verify family identities and relationships when working with unfamiliar names or locations
- Trust your instincts and train your staff to speak up if something feels off
- Use caution with high-dollar transactions from new or out-of-town contacts
These scams can be convincing — but awareness is your best protection. Take a moment to share this warning with your team and stay alert for similar patterns.
If you’ve encountered suspicious activity or have concerns about a potential scam, contact your local authorities or report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Discover why forward-thinking funeral homes attend the 2026 Ski Summit — a three-day event in Park City offering practical insights, strategy, and inspiration for the year ahead.
Reach more families online with strategic marketing that boosts visibility, builds trust, and connects you at the right moment through Tribute Marketing Services.
Discover how much double data entry is costing your funeral home. Use our quick Savings Calculator to see potential time and money saved with Tribute.
Save time, reduce stress, and stay organized with ease.
Tribute Technology’s Jules Green-Fournier shares how dedicated account managers, proactive support, and one-on-one relationships strengthen customer care and results.
Experience exceptional customer support with Tribute Technology — dedicated account managers, 24/7 resources, and personalized assistance.
Simplify funeral home management with Tribute Software. Save time, reduce stress, and stay organized — all in one easy-to-use system.
The easiest way to connect with families
Get Signatures Without the Stress
Waunakee, Wisconsin – November 5, 2025 Partnership Provides Client Families Access to Budget-Friendly Payment Plans while Strengthening Funeral Homes and Reducing Accounts Receivable Tribute Technology has announced a new partnership with Family Shield Credit, the first fintech platform designed by funeral professionals to offer flexible, budget-friendly payment options for funeral homes and their client families. This collaboration integrates Family Shield's proven financing platform into Tribute Technology’s ecosystem, making it easier than ever for funeral homes to provide families with the services they need without the burden of immediate financial constraints. “Family Shield offers a crucial solution that allows families to make decisions based on what they truly want for their loved ones, not just what they can afford at the moment,” said Craig Greenseid, CEO of Tribute Technology. “By working with Family Shield, we’re adding another layer to the Tribute Technology platform, giving funeral homes the ability to offer more comprehensive services while improving their financial health at the same time.” Key Benefits for Funeral Homes The partnership with Family Shield brings several key advantages to funeral homes. Funeral homes receive direct payment from Family Shield, typically within 48 hours of the client’s service, eliminating the delays and uncertainties associated with waiting for estate settlements, life insurance disbursements, or property sales. This helps improve cash flow and reduce accounts receivable. Homes using Family Shield see an average 30% increase in total spend per family. Flexible payment plans empower families to select the services and memorials they truly want, rather than settling due to immediate financial constraints. Family Shield’s platform provides fast underwriting and approval decisions through a proprietary fintech portal, streamlining the application process. There is no paperwork or manual review required, making it easy for funeral homes to offer this option to families. Tribute Technology funeral homes can quickly onboard through an automated online portal. Ongoing webinars and training are available to help funeral directors confidently present these payment options to families. Combined with Tribute Technology’s existing Tribute Pay payment platform, this exciting partnership with Family Shield creates a comprehensive financial solution for funeral directors. “Our goal is to help funeral homes serve families with compassion and respect, and this partnership directly aligns with that mission,” said Dan Solecki Sr., Co-Founder and President at Family Shield Credit. “With Family Shield, funeral homes can streamline their payment processes, improve cash flow, and offer families the peace of mind they deserve.” About Family Shield Family Shield Credit provides flexible payment solutions for funeral homes and their clients, offering families peace of mind during difficult times. Families can borrow funds to cover funeral expenses, relieving the stress of immediate payments and providing much-needed time. Learn more at familyshieldcredit.com . About Tribute Technology Tribute Technology is a leading provider of software and services for funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories, helping professionals serve families through best-in-class websites, management tools, and digital memorialization solutions. To learn more, visit www.tributetech.com . Media Contact Heather McWilliams Mierzejewski VP of Marketing, Tribute Technology press@tributetech.com | heather.mierzejewski@tributetech.com | 303-717-3774
