How to Notify Credit Bureaus of a Death

Post-mortem identity theft is a growing problem — a deceased person's Social Security number, date of birth, and address can be used to open new accounts. Notifying a credit bureau promptly is one of the most effective steps you can take to protect the estate.

Why This Needs to Happen Quickly

Once someone dies, their credit profile becomes vulnerable. Thieves use the deceased's personal information to open new credit cards, take out loans, and rack up charges that can muddy the estate's financial picture for months.

Credit bureaus are often notified by the Social Security Administration or the deceased person's creditors, but do not assume the credit file has been updated. The Social Security Administration says its death records are not comprehensive. Proactive notification by a spouse or other legally authorized representative can help close that gap.

How to Contact Each Bureau

You can report the death through one bureau; Equifax says the bureau that adds a deceased notice will notify the other two. If you also need a copy of the deceased's credit report from each bureau, request each report separately.

Equifax

• Call for general credit-report help: 1-888-378-4329
• Mail a written request with a copy of the death certificate to: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105139, Atlanta, GA 30348-5139
• Request a copy of the deceased's credit report for estate administration purposes

Experian

• Call: 1-888-397-3742
• Mail: Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• For a report request, include a copy of the death certificate and proof that you are authorized to act for the estate

TransUnion

• Call: 1-800-916-8800
• Mail: TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
• For a report request, follow TransUnion's current instructions for the required documents

For mailed requests, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of submission and the date received.

What to Include in Your Request

For a deceased notice, provide the identifying information and a copy of the death certificate. Follow the selected bureau's current instructions about proof of your authority; additional proof may be needed when you request the credit report.

• The deceased's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number
• Date of death
• A copy of the death certificate
• Proof of your authority to act, if the bureau requires it
• Your name, address, and phone number as the estate representative
• A clear request to flag the credit file as "Deceased — Do Not Issue Credit"

Also request a copy of the deceased's credit report. This serves two purposes: it reveals all open accounts you need to close, and it shows whether any fraudulent accounts have already been opened.

Notifying Credit Card Companies Directly

Beyond the credit bureaus, contact each credit card company individually. Call the number on the back of the card or on the most recent statement. You'll need to provide the death certificate and your letters testamentary.

Ask the card issuer to:

• Close the account and stop accruing interest
• Issue a final statement showing the balance as of the date of death
• Remove any authorized users from the account
• File their claim against the estate through probate if applicable

Cancel any autopay arrangements tied to the deceased's credit cards. If recurring charges continue hitting a closed card, the estate could accumulate new balances or trigger payment disputes.

What to Watch For

Pull the deceased's credit report again 60 to 90 days after your initial notification. Look for accounts you didn't close, new accounts opened after death (a sign of identity theft), or collection accounts you weren't aware of.

If you find fraudulent activity, file an identity theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and notify local law enforcement. The credit bureaus can place a fraud alert or complete freeze on the deceased's file to prevent further misuse.

The Debt Settlement & Creditor Notification Toolkit includes a sample credit bureau notification letter and a document location tracker to help you manage the entire notification process — from credit bureaus to creditors to government agencies — without missing a step.