BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Funeral Director Association [MFDA] are warning of scams and attempts to exploit families seeking relief through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s [FEMA] Funeral Reimbursement Program.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, April 14, Healey and the MDFA reminded Massachusetts residents not to give out personal information, especially financial information, over the phone or by email.
FEMA has issued a “Fraud Alert” notice warning of reports of scammers reaching out to people who suffered a loss during the pandemic and offering to register them for funeral assistance.
There are many resources, including through FEMA, which is offering free assistance to anyone who wants to apply for funding.
Under FEMA’s Funeral Reimbursement Program, individuals who incurred funeral/burial and related expenses due to the death of a loved one from COVID-19 are eligible to apply for up to $9,000 in reimbursement from FEMA to help ease some of the unexpected financial costs and stress caused by the pandemic. The program applies to deaths from Jan. 20, 2020 through the present.
