Notify Credit Bureaus of Death

Why This Matters More Than Most Families Realize

Identity theft targeting deceased individuals is a growing problem because death records can take time to propagate through financial systems. During that gap, a deceased person's Social Security number, credit card accounts, and bank information remain active and vulnerable. Criminals monitor obituaries and public death records specifically to exploit this window.

Credit bureaus are usually informed by the Social Security Administration or the deceased person's creditors, but that process can take time. Until then, someone with access to the deceased person's personal information can open new credit lines, file fraudulent tax returns, or rack up charges on existing accounts. To reduce the window for misuse, the executor or next of kin should notify a bureau as soon as possible.

Notify the Credit Bureaus

For a death notice, start with one of the three major credit bureaus; that bureau may notify the other two. To request each bureau's report or dispute an account, follow each bureau's current instructions separately.

Equifax — Use Equifax's current deceased-consumer instructions at equifax.com. Send copies, not originals, of the death certificate and, if you are acting for the estate, proof of your authority.

Experian — Use Experian's current deceased-person instructions at experian.com/help. Its current guidance also lists P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013 for mailed requests. Send copies, not originals, of the death certificate and proof of your authority if requested.

TransUnion — Use TransUnion's current guidance at transunion.com/managing-credit-for-loved-one. Mailed requests go to TransUnion, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016. Send copies, not originals, of the death certificate and proof of your authority if requested.

The bureaus add a "deceased" alert; this alerts creditors and can help stop applications. It does not close existing accounts — you will need to contact each creditor individually for that.

Run a Deceased Credit Report First

Before you close everything, pull a full credit report for the deceased. This gives you a complete picture of open accounts, outstanding balances, and any suspicious activity that may have already occurred.

As a surviving spouse or legally authorized estate representative, follow each bureau's instructions to request a credit report. You may need the death certificate and proof of authority. Compare the accounts listed against the financial records you have found in the home. Any account you do not recognize needs immediate investigation — it may be a forgotten account, or it may be fraudulent.

Lock Down Other Financial Entry Points

Credit bureaus are the first step, but not the only vulnerability:

• Social Security Administration — Report the death by calling 1-800-772-1213. The funeral home often handles this notification, but confirm it was done. SSA needs to stop benefit payments and flag the Social Security number.
• Banks and credit card companies — Contact each institution directly. Provide the death certificate and your Letters Testamentary. Ask them to flag the account, stop all transactions, and provide final account statements for the estate.
• IRS — File the deceased person's final tax return (Form 1040) for the year of death, and mark it as a final return. If the estate generates income exceeding $600, you will also need to file Form 1041 (estate income tax return).
• State agencies — Cancel the driver's license through the state DMV to prevent it from being used as identification. Contact the local election office to remove the deceased from the voter rolls.

Watch for Warning Signs

Even after you have notified the bureaus and closed accounts, monitor for these red flags over the following 12 months:

• Bills or collection notices arriving in the deceased person's name for unfamiliar accounts
• IRS notices about unreported income or duplicate tax filings
• Medical bills for services the deceased never received (medical identity theft)
• Pre-approved credit offers continuing to arrive months after the death notification

If you discover fraud, file a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and contact your local police department for a case number. Both documents help when disputing fraudulent accounts with creditors.

The Clearing Out the Family Home toolkit includes a post-mortem identity protection action sheet with template letters for each credit bureau and a checklist of every agency to notify, so you can work through the list systematically instead of scrambling to remember what comes next.