Some people prey on the relatives of a deceased person whose name they have found in the obituary column.

The deceased person's family receives authentic-looking bills, usually for relatively small amounts so they don't set off warning bells. The family member responsible for clearing up final matters often pays these without question.

If you are responsible for handling the bills for someone's estate, don't be in a hurry to pay. Ask for information about the product or service being billed before you write a check. Most invoices for services that are not contract-based (such as routine lawn services, insect elimination, etc.) can be backed up by something signed by the person who received the service. When in doubt, ask for a copy of this document.

Rarely is a person who is simply writing checks to clear a deceased person's debts (the executor of the estate) personally liable for payment. If there is enough money in the estate to cover valid debts, they must be paid before the remainder of the estate is distributed. If there is not enough to cover the outstanding bills you should get legal advice about how to proceed, but you do not ever have to dip into your own pocket unless you are also legally liable (such as a spouse, in some cases).