Paras Mercioniu
Court of Protection
Protecting Your Estate from Scammers
A recent article in the Law Society Gazette reports how the Government’s Bona Vacantia team has withdrawn its list of unclaimed estates to limit frauds.
Samantha Hamilton, Head of the Court of Protection department at Mullis & Peake LLP says:
“As a Panel Deputy I am frequently appointed to act in relation to the finances and property of people who have been financially abused. It is right for people to take action to protect themselves from scammers and fraudsters who contact them by phone call, text, letter to email. The BBC’s Scam Interceptors programme gives great guidance on what scammers do and how to stop them from stealing funds. However, people need to be aware that some frauds are committed by family and friends, so taking care of your finances and property is wider than just ‘stranger danger’.
With estates, if Wills were made to ensure that the estates of the deceased were given to those the deceased wanted to benefit (whether people, organisations or charities), it would go a long way to prevent probate fraud, especially if the Will is lodged with the Probate Registry: How to store a will with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) – GOV.UK”