WHITTIER — Officials at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier are warning the public about an ongoing scam targeting those who have recently used funeral homes or mortuaries.

“Though Rose Hills has not been advised that any of its customers have been targeted, we advise local families to be aware of this potential threat,” Rose Hills officials said in a written statement.

In the scam, a person calls families claiming to be an employee of the mortuary and saying there is an unpaid balance due for funeral services. The family is then asked to immediately pay the phony bill by credit or debit card.

According to the statement, “It is believed the funeral home information is taken from the obituary notice, and the family’s phone number from telephone or Internet directories.”