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Grieving the loss of a loved one is hard enough, and families are lucky if they're able to prepare in advance for the worst. What most families aren't prepared for, though, are the predatory calls and letters that begin just weeks after filing probate paperwork – the records necessary to officially manage the estate and assets of the decedent.

Digital scams take advantage of families during this time. They rely on probate records in particular, as they contain sensitive information and are a part of the public record. Fraudsters pose as attorneys, debt collectors and estate service providers, each demanding the immediate payment of made-up fees. This is also known as the "inheritance trap." It's a growing kind of cybercrime

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