Notify Equifax of Death: How to Place a Deceased Alert on a Credit Report

What the Equifax Deceased Alert Does

When you notify Equifax that someone has died, it places a "Deceased — Do Not Issue Credit" alert on the credit file, intended to tell potential creditors not to extend new credit. Without the alert, the credit file may remain active and unmonitored — a condition fraudsters can exploit.

The SSA's Death Master File may reach Equifax through data feeds, but the transfer is not immediate. In the meantime, the deceased's SSN may be vulnerable to traditional identity takeover and synthetic identity fraud, where criminals pair a real SSN with fabricated personal details to build a new credit profile.

Documents You'll Need

Before contacting Equifax, assemble:

• A certified death certificate — this must be an original with a raised seal or registrar's official stamp, not a photocopy
• Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration — the probate court document that establishes your legal authority over the estate
• Your own government photo ID — driver's license or passport
• The deceased's personal details — full legal name, Social Security number, date of birth, date of death, and last known residential address

If probate hasn't been filed yet, contact Equifax at 1-888-378-4329 and ask what alternative proof of authority it accepts.

How to Submit the Notification

Mail your documentation to:

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

Use certified mail with return receipt requested. The return receipt matters — it's your proof that Equifax received the package, which protects you if the alert doesn't appear and you need to follow up.

Your cover letter should state:

• That you're requesting a deceased alert on the credit file
• The deceased's full legal name, SSN, date of birth, date of death, and last address
• Your name, your relationship to the deceased, and your role (executor, administrator, or surviving spouse)
• A request for a copy of the deceased's credit report so you can review it for unauthorized activity

Processing and Follow-Up

Keep your mailing receipt and follow up if you do not receive confirmation. Once placed, the deceased alert is intended to tell potential creditors not to extend credit. Equifax deletes credit accounts seven years after it is notified of the death.

Once you confirm the alert is in place, request the deceased's full credit report and review every account and inquiry. Look for accounts you don't recognize, credit inquiries from unfamiliar lenders, or address changes that weren't authorized. Any of these could signal fraud that occurred before or after death.

If you discover unauthorized activity, file a report at IdentityTheft.gov and send the report number to Equifax along with a dispute letter for each fraudulent account. Keep copies of everything — the estate may need this documentation if fraudulent debts surface during probate.

Why You Can't Skip the Other Two Bureaus

Notifying one bureau may trigger notices to Experian and TransUnion, but synchronization can fail or be delayed. Send separate documentation to all three bureaus to reduce the chance that one file remains unflagged:

• Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• TransUnion: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

For executors managing a dozen parallel tasks during an emotionally exhausting period, the Identity Theft Prevention After Death toolkit includes ready-to-mail letter templates for all three bureaus and a tracking sheet to record submission dates, receipt confirmations, and follow-up deadlines.