Someone claiming to administer a trust fund set up by my late relative wants my bank details to release funds. Should I comply?
No, do not provide bank details based solely on an unsolicited contact; verify the trust's existence and the administrator's identity independently through a solicitor or the actual named trustee before sharing any financial information.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
Legitimate trusts are managed by a named trustee, often working with a solicitor or professional trust company, who distributes funds to beneficiaries according to the trust's terms, usually after formal verification of identity through documentation rather than a simple request for bank details over the phone or email. If a genuine trust exists and you are a genuine beneficiary, there will typically be a paper trail, such as being informed by the trust's solicitor or through prior knowledge from the deceased while they were alive.
Scammers invent fictional trust funds supposedly set up by a deceased relative, often a distant one whose life details are vague enough to avoid immediate scrutiny, and claim you are a named beneficiary who simply needs to provide banking details to receive the funds. This scam sometimes escalates to also requesting a small 'release fee' or 'verification deposit' before funds are supposedly transferred, none of which a legitimate trust distribution would require.
Before providing any financial information, verify independently whether the trust actually exists by asking family members familiar with the deceased's estate planning, or by contacting a solicitor to check if any trust documentation can be located and confirmed through proper legal channels.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited contact about a trust fund you had no prior knowledge of
- Request for bank details before any documentation is provided
- Request for a 'release fee' or 'verification deposit' before funds are transferred
- No verifiable named trustee or solicitor overseeing the trust
- Pressure to act quickly to avoid losing the funds
What to do now
- Do not provide bank details or pay any fee based on an unsolicited trust fund claim
- Ask family members if they have any knowledge of the deceased setting up such a trust
- Contact a solicitor to check for genuine trust documentation through proper channels
- Verify the identity and credentials of anyone claiming to be a trustee or trust administrator
- Report suspected fraud to consumer protection or fraud reporting authorities
Frequently asked questions
How would I know if my deceased relative genuinely set up a trust?
Check with the deceased's solicitor, financial advisor, or close family members who may have knowledge of any estate planning documents, rather than relying solely on an unsolicited claim from a stranger.
Is it ever normal to pay a fee to receive trust funds?
Legitimate trust administration costs are typically paid from the trust's own assets by the trustee, not charged separately to beneficiaries as a condition of receiving their distribution.