Inheritance scammers prey on our desire for financial security, hoping that the promise of a fortune will encourage us to give up our personal and financial information. Typically, they contact you out of the blue via letter or email, claiming that you have inherited an enormous fortune from a family member you’ve never met.

This kind of luck is too good to be true! Stay vigilant and watch out for these warning signs of an inheritance scam:

• You suddenly have a new family member. Life isn’t like the movies! The chances are very slim that a so-called “distant relative” you’ve never met – or even heard of – left you a huge inheritance.
   
• There is a promise of a very large inheritance. These scammers often claim that you are the sole beneficiary of an inheritance valued at millions of dollars. Be especially wary when large sums of money are involved.
  
  
• The communication is unsolicited and full of typos. Strange grammatical errors and typos are a surefire sign of a scam. Read all communication carefully, especially if it is unsolicited.
  
  Additionally, remember that real financial documents will always come through official channels like a financial institution or a lawyer.
  
  
• The money is difficult to access. Inheritance scammers often claim that your money will be difficult to access because of government regulations, taxes or other restrictions. They will claim that you need to pay a fee or provide personal information to access the money.
  
  
• There is a pressure or urgency to act. It’s common for scammers to create a false sense of urgency to coerce people into giving up their personal information or money quickly. They may claim that for you to get the inheritance money, you must act now. It’s important to remain calm and refrain from making a hasty decision. If you have questions, take the time to talk to an expert.
  

The best thing to do if you receive an email or letter informing you that you’ve inherited a fortune is to toss them in the trash! As a rule, we recommend that you never give your personal information to an unknown entity over the phone or through the internet.

If believe you are the victim of a financial scam, don’t hesitate to contact CoreFirst Bank & Trust and report the scam with the Federal Trade Commission by visiting www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.