“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board is made up of financial experts whose job it is to make sure that all of our content is fair and unbiased.
The advice in this article is offered by the team independent of any bank or credit card issuer. This article might have content from our partners, and there are rules that apply to any deals that you click on or link to from this page. as of posting date, but offers mentioned may have expired. Bankrate logo.
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Everyone on our team is an expert in something, from credit cards to data analysis. But most importantly, they are people just like you who shop for credit cards. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to:
At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next. Bankrate logo
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo
Losing a loved one is never easy. In the midst of grieving, the last thing you want to think about is their finances. However canceling credit cards of the deceased is an important step in settling their estate. This guide will walk you through the process in a clear step-by-step manner.
Gather Information on the Credit Card Accounts
The first step is to gather information on all of the deceased’s credit card accounts. Here are some tips:
-
You can find their credit card statements in their mail, files, and wallet. Write down the account numbers and names of all your credit card companies.
-
Get a copy of their credit report. It will show all of their open accounts. To get the report, you’ll need to show a death certificate.
-
If you’re the spouse or executor, you can also call credit card companies and ask if the deceased had an account They will need to verify your identity
-
See if the person who died wrote down a list of usernames and passwords. This can make the process much easier.
It’s important to keep track of whether the accounts are individual or joint, and if there are any authorized users. This will impact how you handle the next steps.
Contact Credit Card Companies
Once you’ve identified all accounts, contact each credit card company to cancel the card. Here’s how:
-
Call the number on the back of the card and ask for the “Estate Department”. Explain that the cardholder has passed away.
-
Provide documentation like a death certificate and executor paperwork if requested.
-
For joint accounts, request to remove the deceased from the account. The other owner will remain.
-
For individual accounts, request to close the account entirely. Accounts with authorized users should be closed as well.
-
Ask about any outstanding rewards. See if you can redeem these on behalf of the estate.
-
Get written confirmation that the account is closed. This protects you from fraud.
Resolve Outstanding Balances
If there is still a balance owed on the credit card account, here’s how to resolve it:
-
Do not pay off balances with your personal funds. Creditors must make a claim through the estate.
-
The executor will use estate assets to pay debts through probate court. Credit card debt is typically unsecured.
-
Surviving spouses may be responsible for debt in community property states. Consult an attorney.
-
Authorized users and family members are generally not responsible for the deceased’s credit card debt.
Cancel Recurring Payments and AutoPay
Go through the deceased’s files and statements to identify any recurring payments or automatic payments set up on the credit cards. These could include:
- Utility bills
- Cell phone service
- Streaming services like Netflix or Hulu
- Gym memberships
- Subscription services
Contact each company to cancel payments from the deceased’s credit card. Just closing the card itself may not stop recurring charges from going through. Getting ahead of this prevents headaches later.
Destroy the Physical Cards
Once accounts are closed, destroy all physical credit cards belonging to the deceased. Shred the cards themselves, and cut through any chip or magnetic strips. This prevents the cards from being used for fraud if someone accesses them.
If the deceased had authorized users on their accounts, collect and destroy those cards as well.
Freeze Credit Reports
Freezing credit reports prevents identity theft and fraud. Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to freeze the credit files of the deceased. This locks the reports against any new accounts being opened.
Provide the credit bureaus with a copy of the death certificate and your documentation giving you authority over the estate. They will guide you through the freezing process.
Wrapping Up
Canceling a deceased loved one’s credit card is not the most pleasant task, but doing it promptly and properly protects their identity. While credit card companies are used to handling these situations, having organized records of the deceased’s accounts makes things much easier.
Be prepared to provide documentation proving your authority over the estate. Get written confirmation when accounts are closed. And don’t forget to freeze credit reports and shred any physical cards. With these steps completed, you can close this financial chapter respectfully and prevent issues down the road.
Notify the issuer
Once you know whether the deceased shared the account with anyone, it’s time to notify the issuer. In the case of a joint account, you or the joint account holder, will simply need to remove the deceased’s name from the account.
For all other cases, you will need to cancel the account. It’s important to do this as quickly as possible to avoid any possible fees or accrued interest on the accounts.
Call each card issuer and ask to speak with “Deceased Account Services” or the “Estate Unit.” Many card issuers have dedicated lines for this that you can find on their websites. When you notify the issuer, be prepared to present an original copy of the death certificate and any important court documents pertaining to the estate. Not all issuers request this information, but many do, so it’s helpful to have access if necessary.
Transferring credit card account ownership
If you’re the authorized user on the card and were hoping to keep the card open, explain the situation to the issuer. Most of the time, a credit card issuer will not transfer account ownership to an authorized user, but the issuer may be able to help the user open a new card with similar rates.
Some issuers, however, will transfer account ownership in specific circumstances. American Express, for example, allows individuals over the age of 21 to send a request in writing to take over eligible personal credit card accounts, but they must go through a credit review to do so.
How Do I Close A Credit Card Account Of A Deceased Person?
FAQ
Do credit cards get cancelled after death?
For most people, it’s up to their family to handle their estate, which includes all of their money. If your loved one had credit cards, it’s important to cancel their cards once they pass away since credit cards typically don’t automatically cancel when the cardholder dies.
What to do when a primary credit card holder dies?
You will need to provide a certified copy of the death certificate, a copy of your identification, and proof of your authority over the estate (e. g. , a ….
What happens if a credit card holder dies?
When a person dies, their credit card debt becomes part of their estate, which is the total value of their assets and liabilities. The legal heir, who gets the estate, has to pay off the credit card debt with the assets that are available, like cash, bank accounts, investments, property, and so on.
Do I need to freeze credit for a deceased person?
Yes, freezing a deceased person’s credit is a crucial step in protecting their financial legacy and preventing identity theft.