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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Zaphod99 on Saturday 05 July 25 14:29 BST (UK)

Title: Scary stories about fake wills
Post by: Zaphod99 on Saturday 05 July 25 14:29 BST (UK)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2390x51zqo

Zaph

Title: Re: Scary stories about fake wills
Post by: Jool on Sunday 06 July 25 00:16 BST (UK)

Zaph, I had been reading this article just before I saw your post.  It's shocking to read what people can get away with if they have the nerve.  It's also unbelievable that the police and the probate service took no action.  Not so surprising - HMRC are now interested as there may be inheritance tax to pay.

Title: Re: Scary stories about fake wills
Post by: mare on Monday 07 July 25 01:20 BST (UK)

Wow! 
Seems quite a few open doors on line for these heartless scammers about to be so invasive, bad enough to be so wary of being robbed on the street or being burgled and this must be such an eye opener to see how quickly they can zone in on a loophole.
It was for me anyway, haven't seen article in our papers or similar stories, just aware of those emails suggesting one has come in to a lot of money and all you have to do is send whatever! Hopefully a few doors closed to them at least for this lot.

Title: Re: Scary stories about fake wills
Post by: maddys52 on Monday 07 July 25 01:48 BST (UK)

Thanks for sharing Zaph, shocking and scary. Another good reason to make sure everyone has a will.

I also recall when my mother died we were advised to not put her birth and death dates and other family information in her death notice, to prevent identity and property theft. Sad for future family historians - death notices can be such a useful tool.

Title: Re: Scary stories about fake wills
Post by: AntonyMMM on Wednesday 09 July 25 10:16 BST (UK)

The Bona Vacantia list has been taken down ....that will upset a few heir hunters.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyqw41yeppo