At Hospice Fredericton, our primary mission is to provide compassionate care and support to those who need it most without any financial burden to our patients or their families. Recently, we’ve been made aware of a disturbing trend known as “obituary pirating,” where scammers copy or alter obituaries to defraud families by requesting payments under false pretenses. We want to ensure that our community remains informed and protected against these fraudulent activities.
A Fredericton funeral home is warning its clients about a website that’s been copying obituary information, reposting it without permission and using it to turn a profit.
Bishop’s Funeral Home says a website called Echovita has been taking obituaries from funeral home websites, changing and reposting them, sometimes with errors and accompanied by advertisements for products such as flowers and digital candles.
Funeral home issues warning over online obituary ‘pirating’
A recent article by CBC News highlighted the dangers of obituary pirating, where criminals hijack obituaries and use the personal details of deceased individuals to scam grieving families. These scams often involve requests for money in connection with funeral services or hospice stays, using the name of trusted organizations like Hospice Fredericton to lend legitimacy to their schemes. You can read the full article on this alarming issue here.
At Hospice Fredericton, we assure you that there are no charges associated with staying at our facility or using any of our services. We do not charge patients or families for the compassionate care we provide, and we will never call or email asking for payment related to your stay or participation in our programs.
What You Should Know:
- No Charges for Stays or Services: Hospice Fredericton does not charge for stays or any of the care services we provide. However, there may be medication costs in certain situations. If any medication-related costs are required, these will be discussed directly with the family prior to admission. If you ever receive a call or message asking for payment on our behalf that wasn’t discussed beforehand, it is a scam. Please protect yourself by verifying any contact directly with us.
- If You Receive a Payment Request: If someone contacts you claiming to represent Hospice Fredericton and requests payment, please do not engage. Instead, ask for their name and phone number, and then contact us directly at 506-472-8185 or email info@hospicefredericton.ca to verify the legitimacy of the request.
- Verify Obituary Sources: When viewing or sharing obituaries online, ensure the link comes directly from a trusted source, such as the funeral home or hospice. Scammers often create fake or altered versions of obituaries that can trick families into believing they are legitimate.
- Be Cautious with Personal Information: Never provide sensitive personal or financial information over the phone or online unless you are sure you are speaking to a verified representative of a trusted organization.
How We’re Protecting Families
Hospice Fredericton is dedicated to keeping the families we serve safe from these fraudulent schemes. In addition to raising awareness about obituary pirating, we encourage everyone to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity. If you ever feel uncertain about any communication you receive from us or someone claiming to represent us, please contact us directly.
Your safety, trust, and well-being are our top priorities. We are here to help if you have any questions or concerns.
How to Contact Us
If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of a call, message, or email you’ve received, don’t hesitate to reach out:
Phone: 506-472-8185
Email: info@hospicefredericton.ca
Thank you for your continued support of Hospice Fredericton and for helping us keep our community safe.
