Loved ones who are trying to process their grief are now the targets of scammers in Polk County.
Polk County Coroner Norman Smith is hoping other families will be aware of the potential for losing money after families were sought for payment that wasn’t required.
Three families – two families in Cedartown who had recent services with Smith & Miller Funeral Home and one in Rockmart with Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home – were targets of phone calls not from the funeral homes wanting money for services that isn’t needed.
The scammers are utilizing the grief of families who have just went through a funeral, and claim they are seeking partial payment for funeral services on behalf of the funeral home as they await life insurance payments to come in to cover the rest, Smith explained.
“This kind of behavior can’t be tolerated,” Smith said. “If anyone knows who might be doing this to our neighbors and friends who have just suffered a loss, please reach out immediately so we can bring these scammers to justice.”
Information has been turned over to local law enforcement in hopes that if found, money can be recovered for the victims.
Anyone who receives a phone calling requesting payment for funeral services should immediately hang up and contact the funeral home themselves.
