Deceased individuals are among the most common targets for identity theft. Unlike living victims, they cannot monitor their own credit, receive suspicious account alerts, or notice unfamiliar charges. Criminals exploit this window — often using obituary information to apply for credit, file fraudulent tax returns, or access online accounts in the months following a death.
Protecting a deceased family member's identity is not just about their dignity — it directly protects the estate and prevents the fraud from affecting living family members.
Step 1 — Notify the Credit Bureaus Immediately
Contact all three major credit bureaus and request a deceased notice be placed on the credit file. This prevents new credit from being opened in the deceased's name.
Equifax
Mail a certified death certificate to: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348. Or call 1-888-548-7066 and request the deceased notification process.
Experian
Mail a certified death certificate to: Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013. Include the deceased's full name, SSN, and date of birth.
TransUnion
Mail a certified death certificate and cover letter to: TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016. Or use their online dispute center.
Step 2 — Notify the Social Security Administration
The funeral home typically notifies the SSA, but confirm this was done. If not, report the death directly to the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213. This triggers updates to government databases that help prevent fraudulent tax returns and benefit claims.
Step 3 — Close Digital Accounts Promptly
Open, unaddressed online accounts are vulnerability points. Email accounts can receive password reset requests for financial platforms. Social media profiles with personal information can be harvested for social engineering attacks. Payment apps with balances can be targeted.
The priority order for identity protection:
- Financial apps — PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle
- Email accounts — Gmail, Outlook (these unlock everything else)
- Online banking and investment accounts
- Shopping accounts with stored payment methods — Amazon, eBay
- Social media with personal information
Step 4 — Cancel or Secure Physical and Digital Cards
Cancel all credit and debit cards associated with the estate. Notify banks of the death and request a hold on the accounts pending estate administration. Stolen mail containing financial statements or card offers is a common source of post-death identity theft — redirect or hold mail through the USPS.
Step 5 — Monitor for Fraudulent Activity
Request a credit report from all three bureaus approximately 90 days after death to check for any fraudulent account openings or inquiries. If you discover fraudulent activity, report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and file a police report.
Watch for These Specific Frauds
- Tax fraud — a fraudulent tax return filed in the deceased's name to claim a refund. File the final tax return promptly.
- Benefit fraud — fraudulent claims for Social Security, Medicare, or veterans benefits
- Account takeover — using the deceased's email to reset passwords on financial accounts
- New account fraud — applying for credit cards or loans using the deceased's SSN and public information from the obituary
Close digital accounts quickly to reduce identity theft risk.
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See Packages From $147 →The Obituary Caution
Traditional obituaries contain exactly the information fraudsters need — full name, date of birth, surviving relatives, address. Consider whether to include birth year, full address, and other identifying details in public obituaries. This does not prevent honoring your loved one — it simply removes unnecessary detail that enables fraud.