On September 1, 2011, a funeral home in [the state of] Delaware received an e-mail notice that claimed to be from the “Consumer Protection Department” of the Federal Trade Commission. The e-mail had the FTC’s logo and was sent from complaints@ftc.gov. It informed the funeral home that it was the subject of a consumer complaint and instructed it to open a link to view the complaint and contact the FTC as soon as possible.
Suspecting that it may be a scam, the funeral home contacted NFDA. NFDA in turn contacted the FTC since we are aware that the FTC does not notify businesses of complaints by e-mail. We also know that consumer complaints against funeral homes originate out of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and not the non-existent Consumer Protection Department.
Craig Tregillus, the FTC Funeral Rule Coordinator, confirmed that it is a scam and that if a funeral home opens the link in the e-mail, it may install malware on their computer. The FTC reports that thousands of businesses have received similar e-mails. The FTC advises that any business that receives such an e-mail should immediately delete it without opening it.
If any OFDA member has a question regarding this matter, please contact General Counsel Scott Gilligan at (513) 871-6332.