To prevent post-death identity theft, the estate representative or family member should act promptly in several areas: credit reporting, government agencies, financial institutions, and mail/security controls.
1. Obtain Multiple Certified Death Certificates
Order several certified copies of the death certificate. These are commonly required by:
- credit reporting agencies,
- banks and brokerage firms,
- life insurance carriers,
- mortgage servicers,
- Social Security,
- pension administrators, and
- utility providers.
2. Notify the Three Major Credit Reporting Agencies
The most important early step is to notify the three nationwide credit reporting agencies and request that the file be flagged as deceased. This helps prevent new credit from being opened in the decedent’s name.
Major credit reporting agencies and phone numbers:
- Equifax: 1-888-378-4329
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800
When contacting them, request that the credit file be marked “Deceased – Do Not Issue Credit.”
It is also prudent to request a copy of the decedent’s credit report from each agency so that any unauthorized accounts or inquiries can be identified.
3. Provide Supporting Documentation to the Credit Agencies
The agencies commonly request:
- a certified death certificate,
- the decedent’s full legal name,
- Social Security number,
- date of birth,
- last known address, and
- proof of the requester’s authority, such as:
- Letters Testamentary,
- Letters of Administration,
- court appointment as personal representative, or
- other documentation showing authority to act for the estate.
4. Notify Social Security Promptly
If not already handled through the funeral home, notify the Social Security Administration so that benefits can be stopped where appropriate and records updated.
- Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213
This step is important because identity thieves sometimes attempt to use a deceased person’s Social Security number.
5. Review and Monitor the Decedent’s Mail
Mail often reveals whether fraudulent activity is occurring. Review incoming mail for:
- credit card offers,
- billing statements,
- collection notices,
- unfamiliar account statements,
- tax documents, and
- notices of address changes.
Consider forwarding mail through the Postal Service if necessary.
6. Notify Financial Institutions and Close or Retitle Accounts
Contact all banks, credit unions, brokerage firms, mortgage servicers, and credit card issuers associated with the decedent. Ask them to:
- freeze or restrict access where appropriate,
- close individual accounts no longer needed,
- stop debit/credit card activity,
- flag the account for deceased-status monitoring, and
- provide recent account statements for review.
7. Cancel Unneeded Government, Utility, and Subscription Accounts
Identity thieves sometimes exploit overlooked service accounts. Cancel or transfer:
- utility accounts,
- mobile phone accounts,
- streaming and online subscriptions,
- email accounts,
- cloud storage,
- social media profiles,
- rewards programs, and
- retail store credit accounts.
8. Watch for Tax-Related Identity Theft
File the decedent’s final income tax return in a timely manner. Tax fraud involving deceased individuals is common. Warning signs include:
- IRS notices about unfiled returns,
- duplicate filings,
- wage reports from unknown employers, or
- refund activity inconsistent with known filings.
If a problem arises, the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit may be contacted at 1-800-908-4490.
9. Report Any Fraud Immediately
If unauthorized credit, loans, or account activity appears, report it promptly to:
- the affected creditor or financial institution,
- the three credit reporting agencies,
- the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov, and
- law enforcement, if appropriate.
10. Preserve Records of Every Notification
Maintain a file containing:
- copies of letters sent,
- certified mail receipts,
- names of representatives spoken to,
- dates of calls,
- reference numbers, and
- copies of death certificates and estate authority documents.
This record can be important if fraudulent accounts later appear.
Practical Order of Operations
A useful sequence is:
- Obtain certified death certificates.
- Notify Social Security.
- Notify the three credit reporting agencies.
- Request and review credit reports.
- Notify banks, lenders, insurers, and card issuers.
- Secure mail, online accounts, and devices.
- Monitor for tax and credit irregularities.