The surprise-inheritance scam

Someone contacts you claiming you've inherited money or assets from a relative or stranger you've never heard of, and asks you to pay upfront fees or share personal details to claim it.

Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z

How it works

You receive an unexpected call, email, or letter saying you're entitled to an inheritance or prize. The sender creates urgency—saying the claim will expire soon or that you need to act quickly—and pressures you to provide personal information, banking details, or an upfront payment to unlock the supposed funds.

What it can look like

You get a call from someone claiming to represent a law firm, saying a distant relative passed away and left you money. They ask for your Social Security number and bank account 'to verify your identity and transfer the funds,' or request a small fee 'to process the paperwork.' The pressure intensifies: 'We need this information today, or the inheritance goes to the state.'

How it unfolds

Scams like this follow a pattern. Knowing the arc helps you notice where you are — and step away before the ask.

You receive unexpected contact (email, letter, phone call) saying a distant relative or unknown person has left you money, and you're the named heir or beneficiary. You feel surprised but curious.

The sender asks you to confirm your identity and personal details to 'verify' you're the right person. They may create urgency by saying the funds will be released soon or transferred elsewhere if you don't act quickly.

They tell you there are 'processing fees,' 'taxes,' 'legal costs,' or 'transfer charges' you must pay upfront before you can receive the inheritance. This is the moment to stop—legitimate inheritances do not require upfront payment.

If you've already sent money, they may ask for more—claiming unexpected complications or additional fees. They keep you engaged by promising the payout is 'almost here.' Real inheritances go through courts or banks, not personal intermediaries asking for cash.

Red flags

You're contacted about an inheritance from someone you don't know or don't recall.
The sender asks for personal information (Social Security number, bank details, date of birth) or an upfront payment.
There's artificial urgency—'act now or lose the money,' 'deadline today,' 'call immediately.'
The sender cannot provide verifiable details about the supposed relative or the source of the funds.
You're asked to keep the matter quiet or not tell your family.

What to do

Do not share any personal or financial information, and do not send any money. Hang up, close the email, or set aside the letter.
If you want to verify the claim, independently contact a family member you trust, or search public records yourself—never use contact details the caller provided.
Report the contact to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov so others can be warned.

If it already happened

Acting quickly can limit the damage. You are not alone, and it is not your fault.

Stop all contact with the sender immediately. Do not respond to further messages, calls, or requests, even to ask questions.
If you paid by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or cash app, contact your bank or service provider right away—report it as fraud and ask if the transaction can be reversed or frozen.
If you shared personal information (Social Security number, bank account details, password), contact your bank and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus to monitor for identity theft.
Report the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov and keep records of all messages, payment confirmations, and correspondence for your report.

Sources

Guidance on this page draws on public, authoritative consumer-protection resources (verified live 2026-07-10). Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z.

Spotted this or lost money? Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is general educational information, not legal or financial advice — and ScamVet never asks for your identity or account details.

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