Inheritance scam on the rise: How to spot the red flags

Police are providing warning signs and tips for the public to protect itself from a scam on the rise locally involving fraudulent family inheritance.

"Citizens have reported receiving letters in the mail about a family inheritance from a lawyer, personalized to each recipient and requesting bank account details," South Simcoe police noted.

The so-called inheritance scam involves a made-up story about a fictitious distant relative leaving their estate to the intended victim.

Police stress the importance of being aware of the red flags, including being contacted about an inheritance from someone they don't know.

They say to look for grammatical errors within the message and typos on the letterhead and in any logos.

The authorities also ask the public to be mindful if the message states that accessing the inheritance is complicated and requires personal information to receive the funds.

They say the safest way to handle this type of scam is not to respond. "Tear up the letter or delete the email," police stated.

Never share sensitive personal information with someone you aren't sure you can trust.

"If you think there is a chance that the email or letter might be legitimate, consider your family history and see if the facts match up. Consult an attorney," South Simcoe police added.

The police service concluded with a reminder that legitimate law firms or executors never ask for a fee in exchange for information about an inheritance.

Any potential scams should be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.