How to Report a Relative’s Death to Credit Bureaus

How to Report Death of a Relative to the Credit Bureaus

Experian and the other credit reporting agencies (TransUnion and Equifax) are typically notified of a death by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the deceased person's creditors.

However, to speed up the process and protect your loved one's identity, it's recommended that you notify Experian as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that only a spouse or other legally authorized person, such as the executor of an estate, can report a death to the bureaus. Here's how to do it.

1. Obtain a Copy of the Death Certificate

Do not provide the original death certificate. Instead, obtain a certified copy if you don't already have one.

To do this, you'll need to contact the vital records office of the state where the death occurred. You'll be instructed on how to request a copy—either online, in person or via mail—and the cost.

Note that you may be asked questions about the deceased person and your reasons for requesting a copy of the certificate.

2. Gather the Information You Need

When contacting Experian, be ready to provide identifying information about your deceased loved one, including the following:

• Name of the deceased
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Date of death

You may also need to provide some details about yourself, including your relationship to the deceased and any documentation that shows you have the authority to report their death.

3. Contact a Credit Bureau

Once you notify one credit bureau of a loved one's death, it'll notify the other two, so there's no need to reach out to all three. Here's how to report a death to Experian:

• Upload the death certificate online.
• Mail a copy of the death certificate to Experian's Consumer Assistance Center, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013.

What Happens to a Deceased Person's Credit Report?

Once the credit reporting agencies are notified of an individual's death, they'll add a "deceased alert" to their credit reports. If someone tries to apply for credit in their name, the creditor will receive this alert and can stop the process to prevent fraudulent activity.

You may also be able to request a credit freeze, which prohibits anyone from viewing your loved one's credit reports in the first place.

The credit bureaus delete credit accounts seven years after being notified of a death, which means that your loved one's credit report will no longer exist after all accounts have been removed.

Learn more >> What Happens to Your Credit File When You Die?

Why Should You Report a Death to the Credit Bureaus?

It may not seem necessary to report a relative's death to the national credit bureaus when the SSA and your loved one's creditors are expected to do it. But it can take some time for that notification to happen, and some identity thieves try to capitalize on that delay to use your loved one's information for nefarious purposes.

Here's why it's a good idea to report the death as quickly as possible:

• It can help avoid identity theft. Until the credit bureaus have placed a deceased alert on your loved one's credit file, anyone can use their personal information to apply for credit in their name.
• It can safeguard joint accounts. If you have a joint account with the deceased loved one, notifying the credit bureaus and lenders of their death can help prevent the account from being closed. In some cases, you may be able to ask the lender to keep the account open and put it in your name only.

After you've completed the request, it's important to check your relative's credit reports to make sure it was satisfied. While you're at it, also make sure there's no fraudulent activity that's occurred since their death. If you find inaccurate information, you have the right to file a dispute with the credit bureaus.

Monitor Your Own Credit to Avoid Identity Theft

There are many steps you can take to help avoid identity theft, one of which is to regularly monitor your credit. With Experian's free credit monitoring service, you'll get access to your FICO^® Score^☉ and Experian credit report, along with real-time alerts when changes are made to your report.

Keeping an eye on your credit can help you better understand how your actions impact your credit score and also make it easier to spot potential problems and inaccuracies, so you can address them before they damage your credit.