Common will-related scams and what to watch out for

This is when someone knocks of your door at your home uninvited offering to write your will. 

They may pressure you into signing up on the spot, charge high fees for poor-quality work, or use the opportunity to gather personal and financial information.  

In some cases, the will they produce may not even be legally valid.  

• Never feel pressured to agree to anything on the spot – a legitimate service will give you time to think. 
• Never hand over money or personal details to someone who turns up unannounced. 
• If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and say no. 
• If someone has already visited and you're unsure whether the service was legitimate, you can report it to Report FraudOpens in a new window or contact Citizens Advice for supportOpens in a new window
• If you ever feel threatened or unsafe, call 999Opens in a new window for immediate help. For situations that aren't emergencies, call the police on 101Opens in a new window to report what's happened. 

This is when scammers pretend to be from a charity and offer a free or discounted will-writing service.  

The aim is usually to pressure you into leaving money to their fake charity, steal your personal and financial details, or charge hidden fees.  

Sometimes the ‘charity’ doesn't exist at all, or the will they create isn't legally valid.

• Check the charity is genuine by searching for it on the Charity Commission register (for England and Wales), the OSCR register (for Scotland) and the Charity Commission (for Northern Ireland) 
• Be wary of unsolicited calls, emails or letters offering free will services 
• Don't feel pressured to include any charity in your will. 
• If a charity does offer a free will scheme, contact them directly using details from their official website to confirm it's real. 
• Never share personal or financial details until you've verified who you're dealing with.

An executor is the person named in your will to manage your estate (property, money and possessions) after you die. 

Some solicitors or will-writing companies charge excessive fees for acting as executor – sometimes a percentage of the estate's total value. This can mean thousands of pounds more than necessary, and these charges may be hidden in the small print.

• Read the terms carefully before naming a professional as your executor. 
• Ask upfront what fees will be charged and how they're calculated. 
• Compare costs between different providers. 
• Consider naming a trusted family member or friend as executor instead. 
• Check if fees are a fixed amount or a percentage of the estate. 
• Look out for additional charges for things like ‘administrative costs’. 

This is when you receive an unexpected email, letter or message claiming you've inherited money from a distant relative or unknown person – often from abroad.  

The scammer will ask you to pay fees upfront to release the money or request personal details like your bank account or passport information.  

The inheritance doesn't exist, and any money you send will be lost. 

• Be suspicious of any unexpected message about an inheritance, especially from someone you've never heard of. 
• Never pay upfront fees to receive an inheritance – legitimate inheritances don't work this way. 
• Don't share personal or financial details with anyone you haven't verified 
• Watch out for poor spelling, generic greetings, or the pressure to act quickly – these are common signs of a scam. 
• If you're unsure, speak to a solicitor independently before taking any action 
• Check with family members if a message claims to be about a relative you don't recognise. 
• If you've received a suspicious message, you can find out more about this type of inheritance fraud scam and report it to Report FraudOpens in a new window

A forged will is a fake document created to look like someone's genuine will.  

It may include a forged signature or have been altered without the person's knowledge.  

Forged wills are usually created to redirect money or property to someone who wasn't meant to inherit, often cheating the rightful beneficiaries. 

• Use a solicitor or a professional will writer who belongs to a recognised body – they will follow proper procedures and keep secure records. 
• Make sure your will is signed and witnessed correctly, as required by law. 
• Store your will in a safe place, such as with a solicitor, a bank, or the Probate Service's will storage facility. 
• Let your executor and close family know where your will is kept. 
• Consider registering your will with the National Will RegisterOpens in a new window so it can be easily found. 
• Review your will regularly and update it if your circumstances change. 
• Keep a record of when and where your will was made. 
• If you suspect a will has been forged after someone has died, you can challenge it through the courts. A solicitor specialising in contested wills can advise you on this. 

This is when someone contacts you claiming you're entitled to money from an unclaimed estate – usually from a person who died without a will or known relatives.  

The scammer may ask for upfront fees to "release" the money or request personal details to steal your identity.  

Sometimes they pose as solicitors, government officials or heir hunters. . 

• Be cautious of unexpected contact about an inheritance, especially if you've never heard of the person who died.
• Legitimate heir hunters do exist, but they shouldn't ask for money upfront. They usually take a percentage only after you've received your inheritance. 
• Verify anyone who contacts you by checking their credentials independently. Look up the company or solicitor yourself rather than using details they provide. 
• Never pay fees in advance to claim an inheritance. 
• Never share personal or financial information until you've confirmed the claim is genuine. 
• If you think you've been targeted by a scam, report it to Report FraudOpens in a new window

Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone's estate after they die. 

Online probate fraud happens when scammers set up fake websites that look like legitimate probate services. 

They may charge high fees for poor or non-existent services, steal your personal and financial details, or take your money without completing any work. 

• Applying for probate promptly through GOV.UKOpens in a new window or a solicitor helps protect the estate from fraud and ensures your loved one's wishes are carried out without unnecessary delays. 
• Be wary of websites that appear high in search results or online ads. Scammers often pay to make their sites look official. 
• Check the company is genuine before paying anything. Look for reviews, verify their address, and check if they're registered with a professional bodyOpens in a new window
• Look out for warning signs like pressure to pay quickly, unusually low prices, or poor-quality websites with spelling mistakes. 
• Never share sensitive documents or bank details until you're confident the service is legitimate. 
• If using a solicitor, check they're registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. 
• If you think you've been a victim of probate fraud, report it to Report FraudOpens in a new window and contact your bank if you've shared financial details.