Perhaps you can’t “take it with you,” but you can be certain that if you leave anything behind, someone will be after it – and survivors must protect themselves. The disgusting practice of preying upon shattered and grieving Maine families has become more of a problem every year as disreputable companies become more sophisticated and targeted in their larcenous techniques.

Millie Foster of Augusta almost found this out the hard way when, within several months of her husband, Harold’s, death, she received a bill from a California company for $187.76 for “collectible books” supposedly ordered by her husband. At 76, Millie already was reeling from the loss of her spouse of 46 years. In addition, her husband had handled the family finances and Millie was struggling to decipher bank accounts, insurances and bills. Her first instinct was to pay the bill, if owed.

But Harold Foster, an avid book collector, had always shared his “finds” with Millie, and she could not recall his mentioning any such order. She checked his bookshelves and could find none of the books Harold supposedly had ordered.

So Millie called the company and they promised to send her a confirmation of the order. But after three months she had received no such confirmation, continued to receive bills and finally started receiving threatening calls, supposedly from a collection agency. That’s when she contacted COMBAT.

We contacted the book company on Foster’s behalf and asked for verification that the order had been placed and received. The company representative promised to research their records and provide us with the requested documentation. When after three weeks the firm had not responded, we prepared to contact them again. But then something even stranger happened. Grace Chalmers of Scarborough, a COMBAT member, called to report that she too had received a similar bill from the company claiming that her husband, Bill, had not paid for a book order. We smelled a very stinky rat.

Suspicious by nature, COMBAT went online and checked the obituaries for both Harold and Bill. In both cases, the obituaries said the men collected books as a hobby. We suspected that the California company was one of a growing number of fraudulent companies who search obituaries for hobbies and interests, then bill survivors for orders that were never placed or received. These outfits rely on the honesty of survivors who, grieving and feeling responsible, will just pay the bogus “bill.” It happens that way too often.

In this case, COMBAT immediately contacted state and federal agencies who would have an interest. We also wrote the book vendor to say in no uncertain terms that we were on to their game and that if Millie, Grace, or anyone else in Maine received another dunning call, we would “attach ourselves to you like a tick on a dog.” The dunning calls stopped as anticipated.

To be sure, we called the company a week later. The line was disconnected. California officials tell us they are still trying to find the “company,” with no luck yet. But we are certain it will be back under another name, because that’s the way these crooks do business – like thieves in the night.

The lesson? Make certain that family records are kept in good order and shared with at least one family member, friend or accountant so that, should the unexpected occur, financial information will be clear and accessible. If you have elderly family members, ask them if you can help. And if you receive a bill you don’t recognize, supposedly owed by a recently deceased loved one, contact COMBAT. We eat these outfits for breakfast.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT-Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership $25, business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.