Tuscaloosa County Funeral Service Warns Of New Scam Callers

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Tuscaloosa County funeral home is cautioning the community about an ongoing series of scam calls targeting families in mourning.

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Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home said Thursday that scammers are accessing online obituaries and calling families who have recently lost a loved one then pretending to be someone from the funeral home.

Magnolia Chapel then said the scam caller typically informs the individual on the other end of the call that the funeral home needs more money to serve their family.

Many times, the funeral home said, the caller would attempt to set up a meeting place to exchange money.

Magnolia Chapel said it will never ask clients for money over the phone. Rather, when clients visit the funeral home and plan for their loved one's care, the funeral home will work out your bill and a payment plan with your family.

Those who receive calls they believe to be suspicious are asked to take the following measures:

1. Tell the caller that you will call them back.
2. Call the funeral home to verify
3. Notify local law enforcement

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