Scammers are targeting some of the most vulnerable members of the military community by demanding payment under threat of canceling funeral honors for a deceased veteran, according to multiple reports.

An Army Casualty Assistance Center in North Carolina issued a warning on the scam last month, Stars and Stripes reported. A follow-up report from Military.com included an interview with an Army Casualty Assistance Center official who called the scams “just heartless” and outlined some particulars of the threat.

A social media post from Military OneSource broke the scam down this way:

• A bad actor obtains contact information for the family of a deceased veteran.
• The scammer poses as either a representative of an honor guard or another government employee and instructs the family member to make a payment on an insurance policy regarding the honor guard’s appearance at the upcoming funeral.
• The scammer threatens to cancel the honor guard’s appearance if payment is not made.

One such scammer reportedly demanded a $1,500 payment from a North Carolina family. Surviving family members pay nothing for military funeral honors and are not required to purchase any insurance or make any deposits connected to the ceremony.

[KNOW YOUR BENEFITS: Your Guide to Military Burials]

What to Do

Those who receive such calls should hang up immediately and report them to the Federal Trade Commission, according to Military OneSource. Do not provide any financial information.

An Army Casualty Assistance Center staffer told Stars and Stripes that family members should reach out to their funeral director if they are contacted by scammers to report the incident.

While this scam should be easy to spot – any request for funds related to funeral honors is not legitimate – there are other types of fraud common to the burial and funeral process, as well as fraud targeting VA survivor benefits. Basic tips to avoid falling victim include:

• Be Wary of Unsolicited Contacts. Scammers may sound convincing over the phone or via email and can spoof providers with phony numbers or return-mail addresses. If you’re unsure, reach out directly to the institution via their website (not a link in a text or email) so you know you’re going to the right place.
  
  
• Watch Payment Options. If you’re being asked to pay via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, it’s a scam.
  
  
• Slow Down. Scammers frequently use urgency to convince victims to ignore warning signs. If you’re being pressured into an immediate decision, walk away.

Find more scam-prevention resources at MOAA.org/Scams.