Guide · Notifications
Notify the credit bureaus of a death
Send a death certificate to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to flag the file and stop pre-approved credit offers within weeks.
Mail a copy of the death certificate to each of the three bureaus separately, asking for a Deceased - Do Not Issue Credit flag on the file. Most bureaus update within thirty days. The flag stops pre-approved offers and blocks new accounts, a key step in preventing identity theft of the deceased.
Step by step
Prepare the notification packet
A copy of the death certificate, the deceased's full name, SSN, last known address, and your name and relationship as executor or next of kin.
Mail to Equifax
Equifax, P.O. Box 105139, Atlanta, GA 30348. Send certified mail with a return receipt.
Mail to Experian
Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013. Same packet, sent separately.
Mail to TransUnion
TransUnion, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016. Each bureau maintains its own file and must be notified separately.
Request a credit report
Request the deceased's credit report after the flag is added, free to executors, to identify open accounts that still need to be closed.
Common questions
How long until pre-approved offers stop?
Most bureaus apply the deceased flag within thirty days. Mailings tied to pre-approved offer lists stop a few weeks after that.
Does this freeze the deceased's credit?
Yes. A deceased flag effectively freezes the file. New accounts opened on the SSN after the flag should be reported to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.