It didnât take Brian Triano long to figure out the guy on the other end of the line was likely a scammer.
Triano, vice president of Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery, said the caller was asking for private information about a recent funeral. She claimed she was helping a local family obtain federal burial assistance available when the deceased died of COVID-19.
But Triano knew the program doesnât work that way.
Federal aid
Congress approved two virus relief bills this year that provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020. The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program is operated by FEMA.