Who Notifies Credit Bureaus of a Death? How to Report a Death to Protect Against Fraud

It’s already hard enough when a loved one dies without having to worry about their identity and credit being stolen. Identity thieves often take advantage of the time between when someone dies and when their creditors and credit bureaus are told. You can help protect the identity of your loved one who has died by telling credit bureaus about the death quickly.

When someone passes away, there are a few different ways credit bureaus may be notified

• The Social Security Administration
• The deceased person’s creditors, such as banks or credit card companies
• Family members or estate representatives contacting the credit bureaus directly

Of these, the last option is the quickest and provides the most control over the process While the Social Security Administration will eventually notify the credit bureaus, it can take over a month Notifying the bureaus directly allows you to add extra protections right away.

Why Report a Death to Credit Bureaus?

Here are some of the most important reasons to let credit bureaus know right away about a death:

• Prevent identity theft. Until the credit bureaus have been notified, identity thieves can potentially open fraudulent accounts in the deceased’s name. Reporting it quickly limits this risk.

• Place a deceased alert. The credit bureaus will add a deceased alert to the credit file, warning lenders not to grant credit without verification.

• Initiate a credit freeze. You may be able to freeze the credit file, restricting access to it. This prevents anyone from fraudulently opening new accounts.

• Close joint accounts. Reporting a death can help protect any joint accounts you had with the person who died. The lender can close the account or set you up a new one in your own name.

• Start the clock on credit closure. Credit bureaus close accounts and delete credit files for people who have died seven years after being told of the death. Reporting it starts this clock.

How to Report a Death to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion

The main three credit bureaus in the United States are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You only need to report a death directly to one bureau and they will notify the other two. Here are the steps for each:

Reporting a Death to Equifax

To report a death to Equifax, you will need:

• A copy of the death certificate
• The deceased’s full name and Social Security number
• Their date of birth and date of death

Send this information by mail to:

Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105139
Atlanta, GA 30348-5139

Be sure to include your name, address, contact information, and documentation showing your legal authority to report the death.

Reporting a Death to Experian

To report a death to Experian, provide:

• The deceased’s full name and Social Security number
• Their date of birth and date of death

You can upload the death certificate and report the death online or mail the documentation to:

Experian
Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013

Like with Equifax, send proof of your legal authority along with your contact information.

Reporting a Death to TransUnion

To report a death to TransUnion, you’ll need to provide:

• A copy of the death certificate
• The deceased’s full name, SSN, and date of birth
• Their date of death and last known address

Mail this to:

TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

Be sure to also include your name, address, contact information, and documentation that authorizes you to report the death.

What Happens When You Report a Death?

Once reported, the credit bureau will add a deceased alert to the credit file. This prevents lenders from issuing new credit until they can verify the applicant is not impersonating the deceased.

You can also request the credit bureau place a freeze on the account so no one can access the credit file or open new accounts. A freeze remains in place until lifted by an authorized person.

The credit bureau will pass along the notification to the other two bureaus so the alerts and freezes are in place everywhere. Creditors may also be informed of the death.

Over the next seven years, the deceased person’s accounts will be closed and removed from credit reports. After seven years from the date of notification, the credit file is completely deleted.

Fraud Prevention Tips After Reporting a Death

To prevent identity theft after a loved one dies, be sure to also:

• Get several copies of the death certificate. You will need these for banks, government agencies, utilities, and more.

• Publish an obituary with limited personal details. This announces the death publicly to limit fraud.

• Notify financial institutions. Call banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and others.

• Update records and memberships. Cancel things like email accounts, subscriptions, medical insurance, and professional licenses.

• Review credit reports. Check the deceased’s credit reports for any suspicious activity indicating fraud. Dispute any errors with the credit bureaus.

• File final tax returns. You may need to file final federal and state tax returns on the deceased’s behalf.

• Settle the estate. Work with an attorney to finalize the person’s will and initiate the probate process.

• Update important documents. Make changes to titles on property, vehicles, investment accounts, and insurance policies.

By taking proactive steps to report the death, you can gain control over the situation early. Monitor the credit reports in the months after to ensure no fraudulent accounts have been opened. With proper notifications in place, you can prevent identity theft and protect your deceased loved one’s identity.