Have you received a message from someone claiming to be Howard Gilbert Law, Gilbert Howard LLP, or a supposed lawyer offering you a large inheritance or unclaimed life-insurance payment?
Be careful.
Messages of this type can be part of an inheritance and unclaimed life-insurance scam designed to obtain personal information or money from unsuspecting recipients. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned consumers about similar letters in which fake law firms claim that a deceased person with the same surname left behind a multimillion-dollar life-insurance policy or inheritance.
What Is the Howard Gilbert Law Inheritance Scam?
The Howard Gilbert Law inheritance message typically presents a story about a deceased person who allegedly had a large life-insurance policy, bank deposit, or other assets.
The recipient may be told that:
- The deceased person had the same last name.
- No relatives have claimed the money.
- The supposed lawyer has been searching for a beneficiary.
- The recipient has been selected as a possible heir.
- The estate or insurance proceeds are worth millions of dollars.
- The money will be divided between the recipient, a law firm, and charitable organizations.
- The matter must remain confidential.
- The recipient needs to respond quickly.
These details can make the message sound like a genuine legal opportunity. However, the FTC has specifically warned about this type of fake inheritance and life-insurance scheme.
How the Scam Works
The scam usually starts with an unexpected letter or email.
The sender may use formal legal language, a professional-looking signature, an office address, a telephone number, and references to insurance policies or estate law.
The message is designed to make the recipient believe that a large amount of money is waiting to be claimed.
1. The scammer creates a believable inheritance story
The message may say that a wealthy individual died without leaving a known beneficiary.
The recipient is then told that their surname matches the deceased person’s surname and that they may therefore be able to claim the money.
A matching surname, however, does not establish that someone is a legal heir.
2. The promised amount is unusually large
Some versions of this scam mention millions of dollars.
A large financial reward is used to encourage the recipient to overlook obvious questions, such as:
- Why was I contacted?
- Who exactly was the deceased person?
- How did this person become related to me?
- Why is a stranger offering me part of an estate?
- Why is the matter supposed to remain secret?
The FTC warns that unexpected offers of large inheritances should be treated with caution.
3. The scammer requests personal information
After the recipient responds, the scammer may request information such as:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Identification documents
- Bank account information
- Tax information
- Signature
- Copies of official documents
This information could potentially be used for identity theft or additional fraud.
4. An advance fee may appear later
The recipient may eventually be told that a payment is required before the inheritance can be released.
The fee might be described as:
- Legal fees
- Processing fees
- Insurance charges
- Taxes
- Probate expenses
- Certification fees
- Transfer fees
- Notary charges
- Administrative costs
The supposed inheritance may remain just out of reach after every payment.
This is a common feature of advance-fee fraud.
Major Red Flags to Watch For
There are several warning signs that should make you suspicious.
An unexpected inheritance
You should be extremely cautious if a stranger suddenly contacts you about millions of dollars belonging to someone you have never heard of.
A shared surname is presented as proof
Having the same surname as a deceased person does not automatically make you an heir.
A legitimate estate normally relies on documented legal relationships, wills, beneficiary designations, probate records, and other evidence.
You are told to keep the matter secret
Secrecy is a major warning sign.
Scammers may discourage recipients from discussing the offer with family members, friends, banks, or independent lawyers because outside scrutiny could expose the fraud.
You are pressured to respond quickly
Urgency is another common scam tactic.
A message might claim that the funds will soon be transferred to the government or that you will lose your opportunity unless you respond immediately.
The FTC advises consumers to slow down and independently verify unexpected claims rather than allowing pressure to dictate their decisions.
You are asked to pay before receiving money
Never assume an inheritance is genuine simply because the sender provides documents or legal terminology.
If you are asked to send money before supposedly receiving a large inheritance, stop and independently investigate the claim.
Is Howard Gilbert Law a Real Law Firm?
This is an important distinction.
There is a real Canadian law firm using the Howard Gilbert Law name and providing legal services, including wills and estate matters. Its website contains information about estate litigation and related legal services.
However, the existence of a real law firm does not automatically mean that an unexpected inheritance message using its name is genuine.
Scammers can impersonate real lawyers and law firms.
They may copy:
- Firm names
- Logos
- Lawyer names
- Office addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Website information
- Professional credentials
Therefore, never rely solely on the contact information contained in an unexpected message.
If you receive a suspicious message, independently locate the firm’s official contact information and ask whether the communication is genuine.
How to Verify an Inheritance Message
Before responding, take several steps.
Verify the lawyer independently
Do not use a telephone number or email address supplied in the suspicious message.
Instead, locate the law firm’s official website independently and obtain its contact information from there.
You can visit the official Howard Gilbert Law website to review its legitimate services and contact information. Howard Gilbert Law official website
Ask the firm whether the specific communication, lawyer, reference number, and proposed transaction are genuine.
Verify the insurance company
If the message identifies an insurance company, find that company’s official website independently.
Do not click links supplied in the suspicious message.
Ask the insurer whether the alleged policy actually exists and whether you are named as a beneficiary.
Seek independent legal advice
If you genuinely believe that you may have inherited property, consult your own qualified lawyer.
Do not rely on a lawyer who unexpectedly contacted you and is asking you to participate in a confidential arrangement.
What Should You Do If You Receive the Message?
The safest approach is to stop communicating with the sender until the claim has been independently verified.
Do not:
- Send money.
- Send your banking information.
- Send copies of identification.
- Provide passwords or security codes.
- Sign unfamiliar documents.
- Click suspicious links.
- Download unexpected attachments.
- Forward the message to other people as though it were genuine.
- Allow the sender to pressure you into making a quick decision.
The FTC specifically advises consumers not to send money or personal information to strangers who promise large financial rewards.
What If You Already Responded?
If you already replied, do not panic.
Stop further communication and preserve the original message, email addresses, telephone numbers, documents, payment instructions, and other evidence.
If you provided financial information, contact your bank or financial institution as soon as possible.
If you sent money, contact the payment provider immediately and ask whether the transaction can be stopped, reversed, or flagged as fraudulent.
You can also report suspected fraud to the FTC through its official reporting service:
The FTC also recommends acting quickly after sending money to a scammer because the payment method can affect whether the transaction can be recovered.
How to Protect Yourself From Inheritance Scams
Keep these simple rules in mind:
- Be skeptical of unexpected inheritances.
- Do not assume a matching surname means you are related to the deceased person.
- Never pay an unexpected stranger to release a promised fortune.
- Verify lawyers through independently obtained contact information.
- Verify insurance policies directly with the insurer.
- Never provide sensitive financial information simply because someone claims to be a lawyer.
- Do not allow urgency or secrecy to influence your decision.
- Consult an independent legal professional if the claim appears potentially legitimate.
- Do not click suspicious links or download unexpected attachments.
- Report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Howard Gilbert Law inheritance message legitimate?
An unexpected message offering a large inheritance should be treated as suspicious until independently verified. The FTC has warned about very similar fake-lawyer inheritance and life-insurance messages.
Can I inherit money simply because I have the same surname as a deceased person?
No. A matching surname by itself does not establish that you are an heir or beneficiary.
Why would a lawyer contact me about an inheritance?
There can be legitimate situations involving estates and beneficiaries, but an unexpected offer involving millions of dollars, secrecy, urgency, or requests for personal information deserves careful verification.
Should I pay a fee to receive an unexpected inheritance?
Do not send money simply because an unknown person claims that a fee is necessary to release an inheritance. This is a common warning sign of advance-fee fraud.
What if the message contains a real law firm’s name?
That does not prove the message is genuine. Scammers can impersonate legitimate professionals and businesses.
Where can I report an inheritance scam?
In the United States, suspected fraud can be reported through the FTC’s official website:
If you are outside the United States, consider reporting the incident to your country’s relevant consumer-protection agency, law-enforcement authority, or financial institution.
Final Verdict: Is the Howard Gilbert Law Inheritance Message a Scam?
Treat the Howard Gilbert Law inheritance message as suspicious and potentially fraudulent unless you independently verify it.
The message pattern is consistent with the inheritance and unclaimed-life-insurance scams described by the FTC, where scammers impersonate lawyers and promise recipients a share of a nonexistent multimillion-dollar estate or insurance policy.
The safest approach is simple: do not send money, personal information, identification documents, or banking details to the sender.
If you believe the communication could involve a legitimate law firm, contact the firm independently using contact information you obtained yourself.
A professional appearance does not make an inheritance offer legitimate. Verify before you trust, pay, or share personal information.
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