A credit bureau death notification is a formal alert sent to major credit reporting agencies (such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to let them know that an individual has passed away. Once notified, the credit bureaus update the person’s credit file with a “Deceased – Do Not Issue Credit” flag.
This helps prevent identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized use of the deceased person’s credit information.
Why Death Notification Is Important
When someone dies, their personal information remains active until reported. Fraudsters often target recently deceased individuals to open accounts or take loans in their name — a crime called “ghosting” identity theft.
Notifying the credit bureaus ensures:
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Their credit report is frozen from new applications
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Creditors stop sending offers
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Existing accounts can be properly settled through the estate
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Executor or family members avoid future disputes
Who Can Notify Credit Bureaus?
Usually, the following people may report the death:
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Executor of the estate
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Surviving spouse
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Immediate family member
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Attorney or legal representative
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Funeral director (in some jurisdictions)
How to Notify Credit Bureaus of a Death
Each bureau has its own process, but generally you must send:
Required documents:
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Death certificate (copy is usually acceptable)
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Full legal name of the deceased
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Social Security number
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Date of birth
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Last known address
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Your contact information
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Proof of your relationship or authority (e.g., executor documentation)
Steps:
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Send a written death notification by mail to each bureau.
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Include all required documents.
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Request a copy of the deceased’s credit report to review for open accounts.
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Notify individual creditors as well (banks, mortgage companies, card issuers).
After processing, the bureaus will update the credit file and mark the individual as deceased.
What Happens After the Report Is Filed?
Once the credit bureaus receive the notification:
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The credit file is marked “Deceased”
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No new credit can be opened
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Lenders are notified through updated credit reports
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The deceased person’s existing accounts move to the estate for settlement
This prevents fraud and ensures the estate is handled correctly.
Do Credit Bureaus Get Death Reports Automatically?
Yes — sometimes.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends regular updates of deaths to the credit bureaus, but:
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SSA reporting may take weeks
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Not all deaths are reported (depends on circumstances)
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Errors or delays can occur
It’s safer for families or executors to directly notify the credit bureaus to ensure timely protection.
How Long Does a Deceased Credit Report Stay Active?
The report remains in the system, but credit bureaus:
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Prevent new accounts from being opened
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Update creditors
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Stop generating credit scores for the individual
The file may remain for historical and recordkeeping purposes.
Do Family Members Inherit Debt?
In most cases no — relatives don’t inherit credit card or personal loan debt.
Debts are paid by the estate, unless the family member:
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Was a co-signer
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Joint account holder
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Lives in a community property state where applicable
Conclusion
A credit bureau death notification is an essential step in protecting a deceased person’s identity, preventing fraud, and ensuring their estate is handled correctly. Executors or family members should notify Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion as soon as possible.