A cruel funeral fundraising scam just emptied a Chicago man’s wallet—here’s what went wrong
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It’s a story that tugs at the heartstrings and rattles the nerves—a Chicago man found himself in a funeral fundraising scam right on the city’s bustling streets.
If you think it couldn’t happen to you, think again. Scammers are getting bolder, more creative, and heartbreakingly convincing.
These alarming scams continue to catch unsuspecting people off guard every day.
Paul Mitchell’s ordeal began on a typical day in Lakeview, a lively Chicago neighborhood.
He and a friend were approached by four young men with a story that would make anyone pause: they needed donations to pay for their brother’s funeral.
The catch? “No, we can’t accept cash. We can only take credit cards,” they insisted.
Wanting to help, Paul offered $10 using his Citi credit card. But instead of a small act of kindness, he was hit with a $5,000 charge.
The merchant name? Someone he’d never heard of—Carey Wade. Citibank flagged the transaction, asked if it was fraud, and Paul immediately said yes.
He was reassured the charge would be rejected. But weeks turned into months, and the money was never returned.
Paul’s experience with Citibank is, unfortunately, not unique. After confirming he had his card in his possession during the transaction, the bank changed its tune.
Because he willingly handed over his card—even under false pretenses—they considered the transaction “authorized.” No lost or stolen card, no fraud, they said.
Steve Bernas of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) explains, “You gave them the money. You gave them access to your phone or your account—even if it’s a fraudulent purchase.”
In other words, if you physically hand over your card or phone, many banks and credit card companies may refuse to reimburse you, even if you were tricked.
Also read: Is your credit card safe? How scammers are mimicking top brands to steal your money
Scammers know how to push our emotional buttons. Funerals, sick children, veterans in need—these are stories designed to bypass our skepticism and appeal to our generosity.
And with the rise of cashless payments, it’s easier than ever for scammers to process large, unauthorized charges before you even realize what’s happened.
The BBB has seen a spike in these types of scams, especially in busy urban areas like Chicago. In fact, another woman in Lincoln Park fell for the same ruse.
The Chicago Police Department is investigating, but so far, no arrests have been made.
Read next: Protect your money: How a Chicago couple lost $4,500 to a vicious tap-and-pay scam–and how you can avoid the same fate!
Have you or someone you know ever been approached by a suspicious fundraiser? Do you have tips for spotting scams or stories to share about how you protected yourself?
If you think it couldn’t happen to you, think again. Scammers are getting bolder, more creative, and heartbreakingly convincing.
These alarming scams continue to catch unsuspecting people off guard every day.
Paul Mitchell’s ordeal began on a typical day in Lakeview, a lively Chicago neighborhood.
He and a friend were approached by four young men with a story that would make anyone pause: they needed donations to pay for their brother’s funeral.
The catch? “No, we can’t accept cash. We can only take credit cards,” they insisted.
Scammers usually demand immediate payment and create urgency. Image source: Allef Vinicius / Unsplash
Wanting to help, Paul offered $10 using his Citi credit card. But instead of a small act of kindness, he was hit with a $5,000 charge.
The merchant name? Someone he’d never heard of—Carey Wade. Citibank flagged the transaction, asked if it was fraud, and Paul immediately said yes.
He was reassured the charge would be rejected. But weeks turned into months, and the money was never returned.
Paul’s experience with Citibank is, unfortunately, not unique. After confirming he had his card in his possession during the transaction, the bank changed its tune.
Because he willingly handed over his card—even under false pretenses—they considered the transaction “authorized.” No lost or stolen card, no fraud, they said.
Steve Bernas of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) explains, “You gave them the money. You gave them access to your phone or your account—even if it’s a fraudulent purchase.”
In other words, if you physically hand over your card or phone, many banks and credit card companies may refuse to reimburse you, even if you were tricked.
Also read: Is your credit card safe? How scammers are mimicking top brands to steal your money
Scammers know how to push our emotional buttons. Funerals, sick children, veterans in need—these are stories designed to bypass our skepticism and appeal to our generosity.
And with the rise of cashless payments, it’s easier than ever for scammers to process large, unauthorized charges before you even realize what’s happened.
The BBB has seen a spike in these types of scams, especially in busy urban areas like Chicago. In fact, another woman in Lincoln Park fell for the same ruse.
The Chicago Police Department is investigating, but so far, no arrests have been made.
Read next: Protect your money: How a Chicago couple lost $4,500 to a vicious tap-and-pay scam–and how you can avoid the same fate!
