The Dark Side of Digital After Death: Scams You Need to Know About

What happens when scammers show up in the middle of grief?In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Mega Matt discuss a real and unsettling situation: scammers using obituary posts and social media to exploit families after a loved one passes away. Matt shares a personal story—after posting about his father’s passing, fake accounts began circulating copied obituary content with added donation links. To an untrained eye, it looked real. Same photo. Same message. Just one subtle change directing people to send money somewhere else.It’s a reminder of how quickly bad actors can take advantage of emotional moments online.And this is where digital planning becomes more than just organization—it becomes protection.The challenge is that when families are grieving, the last thing they want to do is monitor social media for scams. But unfortunately, that’s exactly when people are most vulnerable.So what can be done?While there’s no perfect way to prevent situations like this, awareness is a powerful first step. A few practical takeaways from the conversation:Be cautious with public posts that include personal details or imagesIf donations are appropriate, clearly communicate one official sourceMonitor posts and comments closely in the days following an announcementReport fake accounts or scam posts immediatelyThe conversation also raises an important point: people want to help.When someone passes, friends and family often feel a strong desire to do something—bring meals, send support, or give financially. Providing a clear, trusted way to do that can both help your community and reduce confusion that scammers might exploit.At the center of this discussion is a bigger truth:Your digital presence doesn’t end when your life does.Social media, online accounts, and digital identity all continue—and without a plan, they can be misused in ways most families never expect.The takeaway?Digital planning isn’t just about access—it’s about safeguarding your story, your family, and your community when they’re most vulnerable.#iWealth #DigitalAssets #ScamAwareness #EstatePlanning #FinancialPlanning #OnlineSafety #LegacyPlanning #PersonalFinance**iWealth****SUBSCRIBE**Education is first! At iWealth we pride ourselves on helping people make smart decisions when it comes to money. You know how to make money, but do you know how to keep it? Invest it? Manage it so that it works for you? iWealth provides practical thinking tools and structures which will help you achieve your biggest goals and enjoy an unparalleled quality of life.►Please take a moment to comment and let us know what you thought of this video. Want to learn more about how iWealth can help you feel confident about your financial future? Schedule a complementary 30-minute discovery call to get clear on your financial goals, what might be standing in your way, and if iWealth is a good fit for you. Click here to book your call today: [https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors](https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors)►For more educational tips and wisdom from iWealth:YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos](https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos)Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me](https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me)LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/)Podcast: [https://anchor.fm/iwealth](https://anchor.fm/iwealth)Twitter: [https://twitter.com/iWealth4me](https://twitter.com/iWealth4me)Book: [https://fishdontclap.com/#home](https://fishdontclap.com/#home)