If you’re leaving your e-mail contact information when signing an online funeral guest book, you could be exposing yourself to attempted fraud.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports that scammers are combing the guest books to find potential victims for a Nigerian letter-type ripoff.

Obituary sites maintained by newspapers and others typically include guest books that visitors can use to leave comments about a deceased person. When making a comment, visitors often have the option of providing an e-mail address so others can contact them through the site.

IC3 reports that scammers have been using the “Contact” link to send visitors a phony message that they are owed money from someone with the same surname who has been deceased for years. As with typical Nigerian letter scams, the message says that the money cannot be released until certain fees are paid, typically to an overseas bank account. Perpetrators of Nigerian letter scams often misrepresent themselves as officials of foreign governments. Sometimes they mail fake checks that recipients are instructed to cash before sending money. By the time the check is flagged as bogus, the money is long gone.

To avoid becoming a victim, be wary of any responses you receive when leaving contact information with an online guest book. Unless you know exactly whom you’re dealing with, never respond to anyone who promises to send money after an advance payment of fees. Be cautious of unsolicited letters or e-mails, even if they come from an individual or organization with an official-sounding title.  

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National White Collar Crime Center, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.–Anthony Giorgianni