When a family member or friend has died, it is important to notify various government
agencies, banks, creditors and credit reporting agencies of the death. To reduce the risk of
identity theft, these notifications should be made promptly after the death.
To expedite notification, you should initially make the contact by telephone followed by
written verification. For many of the government agencies and financial entities, you will need
the decedent’s social security number, a copy of the death certificate, and, if you are a personal
representative (executor) of the estate, your appointment form from the probate court. Ensure
to retain copies of all notices that you send.
Below is a checklist of possible agencies and businesses that should be notified of the
death. Because each individual case is unique, the list may not be complete. Also, the funeral
home may have notified some of the government agencies on your behalf. Please consult with
the funeral director when you receive this list so you can check off those agencies which have
been notified by the funeral director.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
A. Social Security Administration, 800-772-1213 (everyone).
B. Veteran’s Administration (if decedent was formerly in the military).
C. Defense Finance and Accounting Service, 800-269-5170 (military service retiree
receiving benefits).
D. Office of Personnel Management, 888-767-6738 (if decedent is a retired or former
federal civil service employee).
E. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, 800-375-5283 (if decedent was not a
U.S. citizen)
F. State Department of Motor Vehicles (if decedent had a driver’s license or state
ID).
FINANCIAL COMPANIES
A. Credit card and merchant card companies.
B. Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions.
C. Mortgage companies and lenders.
D. Financial planners and stockbrokers.
E. Pension providers.
INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANIES
A. Life insurers and annuity companies.
B. Health, medical and dental insurers.
C. Disability insurer.
D. Automotive insurer.
E. Mutual benefit companies.
There are three national credit reporting agencies which you should notify of the death
and instruct them to list all accounts as: “Closed. Account Holder is Deceased.” You may also
request a credit report to obtain a list of all creditors and to review recent credit activities. A
sample notification letter is available for your convenience.
CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES
A. Experian, 888-397-3742, P.O. Box 9701, Allen, Texas 75013.
B. Equifax, 800-525-6285, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, Georgia 30348.
C. TransUnion, 800-680-7289, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, California 92834.
MEMBERSHIPS
A. Professional associations and unions.
B. Health clubs and athletic clubs.
C. Automobile clubs.
D. Video rental stores.
E. Public library.
F. Alumni clubs.
G. Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Veterans’ organizations and clubs.
DO NOT CONTACT LISTS
For a fee of $1.00, you can list the decedent’s name on the Deceased Do Not Contact List
which is maintained by the Direct Marketing Association. All members of the Direct Marketing
Association will delete the decedent’s name from their mailing lists once the name is posted. A
website for registering the name is set forth below:
A. Direct Marketing Association (register at www.ims-dm.com/cgi/ddnc).
CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY NOTIFICATION
1. Credit Agencies: Check below each Credit Reporting Agency you wish to send this
Notification. It is recommended that you send the Notification to each Credit Reporting
Agency with copies of the death certificate and, if you are the personal representative of
the estate, your appointment papers from the Probate Court. Prior to sending, make
copies for your records.
Experian
P.O. Box 9701
Allen, Texas 75013
Equifax
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, Georgia 30348
TransUnion
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
2. Identification Information: Fill in the information below for yourself as Requesting Party
and for the Decedent.
Decedent’s credit report.
Date:
Requesting Party
Name:_____________________________
Address:___________________________
___________________________
Phone Nos.:______________________(w)
_______________________(h)
Decedent
Name:____________________________
Date of Death:_____________________
Date of Birth:______________________
Location of Birth:__________________
Social Security No.:_________________
3. Prior Addresses of Decedent. List the addresses of all residences of the Decedent over
the past five years starting with the most recent:
(a)
(b)
(c)
4. Relationship of Requesting Party to Decedent: Please identify your relationship to the
Decedent.
Spouse Personal Representative of Estate Other:
5. Directions to Credit Agency: Please initial each request you wish to make to the Credit
Agency receiving this Notification.
_______ Post on the Decedent’s credit report: “Deceased. Do Not Issue Credit.”
_______ Please forward to me at the address listed above the current copy of the
Signature of Requesting Party© National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). All rights reserved.