If you’ve received a letter in the mail saying you’re entitled to unclaimed life insurance money because a deceased person with your last name left behind a large payout, stop and read this first.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a fresh warning about a wave of fake letters claiming recipients can share in unclaimed life insurance proceeds.
Worth reading: The State By State Guide to Unclaimed Assets
What’s happening with these letters?
Scammers are sending official-looking letters that appear to come from a law firm. The letter claims:
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A client with your same last name recently died.
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That person left behind a substantial life insurance policy or inheritance with no listed beneficiaries.
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The proceeds will be split between you, certain charities, and the “law firm.”
The FTC says these letters are not from legitimate attorneys and are part of a fraudulent scheme designed to steal your money or personal information.
Why this scam is dangerous
Even though unclaimed property is real and managed through official government agencies, scammers are using this concept to trick people into:
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Sending upfront “processing” or “transfer” fees (often via gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto).
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Providing sensitive personal data such as your full Social Security number, bank account details, or copies of your ID.
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Clicking malicious links or scanning QR codes that lead to phishing sites.
Red flags that a letter is a scam
Watch for these warning signs:
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Unsolicited contact: You receive a letter out of the blue about money you didn’t know existed.
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Same last name trick: The letter relies on a shared surname to make the claim feel plausible.
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Urgency or fees: You’re told to act quickly or pay a fee to “release” the funds.
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Requests for sensitive info: The letter asks for full SSN, bank details, or other personal data before you’ve verified anything.
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Suspicious contact info: The sender uses a public email address (like Gmail or Yahoo) or a website that doesn’t end in .gov or an official state treasury domain.
How to safely search for real unclaimed money
If you’re curious about unclaimed property, use only official, free resources:
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Start with national portals: Use unclaimed.org (National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators) or MissingMoney.com.
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Check your state’s official site: Every state runs a free unclaimed property program. For example:
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Florida: www.fltreasurehunt.gov
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Other states: Search through www.usa.gov/unclaimed-money.
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No fees required: Legitimate state treasurers and the IRS do not charge citizens to search for or claim their own property. If you’re asked to pay a fee, it’s a scam.
What to do if you receive a suspicious letter
If you get one of these fake letters:
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Do not respond. Never call the phone number, email the sender, or scan QR codes provided in unsolicited letters.
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Keep your information private. Never share financial details or personal information with anyone promising large financial rewards out of the blue.
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Warn friends and family. Especially older adults or vulnerable relatives who may be targeted by physical mail scams.
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Report it. Help federal authorities track and fight fraud by reporting deceptive letters directly to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Contact local consumer protection. For additional information or assistance, reach out to your county consumer protection office. In Orange County, email FraudHelp@ocfl.net.
Bottom line
Real unclaimed property exists, but scammers are using fake letters about life insurance money to steal your data and cash.
Always verify claims through official state websites, never pay upfront fees, and report suspicious mail to the FTC.
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