If you get an email from a funeral home telling of an upcoming memorial service for a friend, delete it, because it’s a scam.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection issued a consumer alert on Wednesday, warning that opening a link on the email will download malware on your computer.
“The emails contain limited information, noting that a funeral service will be held for a ‘friend,’ and provides a link for more details,” the alert said. “If you receive a similar email, delete it immediately.”
The link goes to a foreign website, which has a .zip file.
“If this .zip file is opened, malware will be installed on your computer,” DATCP said.
A Wisconsin resident recently received a scam email supposedly sent from a legitimate funeral and cremation service in Texas.
“The company has placed a warning message on the homepage of its website to warn the public of this scam and the misuse of its name,” the alert said.
Similar emails in the scam could be using the names of other legitimate businesses.
For more information or to file a complaint, go online, send an email to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Information Hotline, 800-422-7128.