The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office is warning residents to watch out for a life insurance scam that has been conducted through the mail.
The DA’s Office said someone recently received a letter about cashing in on a stranger’s life insurance policy, but this is a scam that the Federal Trade Commission has called attention to. The DA’s statement quoted an FTC report:
“The letter looks like it’s from a law firm and offers an “easy way” to get money using someone else’s life insurance policy. In the letter, the “lawyer” says they have a deceased client with an unclaimed life insurance policy worth millions. Because you “supposedly” have the same name last name and nationality as the deceased, the lawyer can add your name to the policy and split the money between you, their law firm, and a charity. All you have to do, they say, is keep this information secret and email them immediately.”
“There is no lawyer. It’s a scammer. If you email them, they will ask for personal information, or money, or both. The life insurance policy does not exist.”
If you get one of these letters:
• Don’t respond. Never share your information with someone who contacts you and says they need it. And never send anyone cash or pay with gift cards, wire
transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• Share this information with a friend. You probably throw away these kinds of letters. But you may know someone who could use a friendly reminder to help them spot the scam.
• Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report makes a difference: by telling your story to the FTC and to others in your community, you help others avoid the scam.
