Mistakenly Reported as Deceased on Credit Report

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Marked as Deceased on Credit Report Lawyers

If You're Mistakenly Marked Deceased on a Credit Report, the Best Way to a Full Recovery is with a Credit Report Lawyer.

Did a credit report inform you that you’re dead? If you’re researching what to do now that “My credit report says I am deceased,” then you’re already well aware that these mistakes happen. As absurd as it seems, proving you’re alive is now your number one job.

Being erroneously marked as deceased on your credit report is a serious error that can snowball from one account into an adverse impact across your entire financial portfolio. Knowing your legal rights, how to enforce them, and who can help you is absolutely vital.

At Consumer Attorneys, our lawyers have helped thousands of people nationwide successfully fix errors, including being mistakenly marked as deceased. Our lawyers know how to help consumers protect their rights, restore their credit scores, and fully recover financially and emotionally.

I’ll explain how these deceased reporting errors happen, how to dispute them, how the law protects you, and how to get compensation for financial and emotional harm. Keep reading to get informed, then call or contact us today.

What does a “Deceased” Indicator Mean?

The deceased indicator meaning is pretty straightforward in the consumer reporting world. A deceased indicator is a notation on a credit report stating that the consumer is dead.  It appears as the actual word “deceased,” and appears next to either a lone account or as a designation across your entire credit portfolio. It can also mean that your name has mistakenly been entered into the Master Death File at the Social Security Administration (SSA).

SSN Reported as Deceased

In any given year, approximately 12,000+ American consumers discover that their social security number is mistakenly reported as deceased. When this happens, it means that the Social Security Administration (SSA) mistakenly added it to the Death Master File. The latter is a database the SSA maintains with the names and Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of everyone who died in a given calendar year.

If your SSN is entered into the DMF, the consequences can be sweeping across all of your financial accounts, so act quickly to dispute and correct this. (See below for more information.)

Our Best Stories on “Deceased” Indicator on Credit Reports

Business Credit Vanished

$95,0000.00 win

As a small business owner, access to credit is key for this client. But when Experian mistakenly reported her deceased, her access was denied. Forced to cancel and reschedule business plans and borrow money, she was humiliated. To make things worse, the first dispute proved fruitless, and a second dispute was required. These prolonged errors took a severe toll on her business finances and emotional well-being. With our help, she eventually got the reporting corrections she needed and a large settlement.

Turned into a TransUnion Ghost

T.H., from FL

TH sought to open a line of credit to pay some immediate debts and strategically build his credit history. However, when TransUnion reported him as deceased, he was denied this opportunity and subsequent ones. It appeared that TransUnion’s error originated with a different company. To his astonishment, when TH disputed the error, rather than properly investigate and correct it, TransUnion just re-confirmed from the other company that TH was dead. We resurrected his credit from the credit report graveyard and held TransUnion accountable.

A Grave Mortgage Situation

$105,000.00 win

When our client and his wife sought to buy their first home, their good credit made it easy to get pre-approved for a mortgage. But in the short span between the pre-approval and finding a home, our client learned that he was being reported as deceased by all three credit bureaus! Not surprisingly, he was denied a mortgage for his dream home. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of a cascade of terrible financial events in response to the wrongful reporting of his death. Luckily, we got his credit, finances, and life back on track with a healthy settlement!

Denied Access But She's Not Dead

L.C., from TX

After suffering tremendous personal loss, LC was caused additional suffering when she was mistakenly reported as deceased in a data mix-up following her fiancee’s death. Even after taking all the steps asked of her by the banks, creditors, and credit bureaus involved, LC was still barred from her credit, locked out of her accounts, and forced into a dire financial situation. She turned to Consumer Attorneys for help, and we fought for her to make a full recovery.

Equifax Erased her Existence

M.J., from CA

MJ applied to open an account at Wells Fargo only to be turned down because she was being reported as deceased by Equifax. Thinking this would resolve shortly (because surely she was alive and accruing a credit and payment history daily!), she tried to apply for credit with PenFed and Capitol One, getting denied from both when Equifax continued to wrongfully report her demise. With our guidance, she held Equifax accountable for its mistake and got compensation for the harm she endured.

At Consumer Attorneys, because of our experience as lawyers practicing in the area of consumer protection law, we know that when a consumer is deceased on a credit report, even though they’re very much alive and well, it is almost always due to a data error. The only other way that a deceased indicator shows up is through identity theft and fraud. See below for detailed insight into either of these possibilities. 

Do I Need a Credit Freeze if I’m Reported As Deceased?

No, you do not need to request a credit freeze if you are falsely reported as deceased. A credit freeze is an important security tool used to close down access to credit (such as mortgages, auto loans, or credit cards) when a consumer dies. This is necessary because some fraudsters monitor obituaries for recently deceased consumers and then attempt to access credit in that person’s name before the credit bureaus and banks are notified of the passing.

However, when you have been mistakenly declared dead on your credit profile, you will experience the opposite concern. Banks, lenders, credit card companies, and service providers will likely freeze or close accounts independently, believing you to be dead.

You will engage with the credit bureaus and the SSA to dispute the error and clear your record, but requesting a freeze is not a necessary part of the process. Rather, you will go through a formal dispute and verification process to confirm your identity and vitality.

Why Does My Credit Report Say I’m Deceased?

There are several reasons why there might be a deceased indicator on a credit report (see below), but the origin of every cause is essentially the same- the consumer data industry is saturated with data, and the companies that buy and sell that data as a commodity do not implement the proper safeguards to ensure accuracy.

So, when a credit report says a consumer is deceased, you’ll have to know how to prove you are not deceased.

The Business of Consumer Data

To understand how these deceased consumer report errors happen, it helps to understand the consumer data industry, which is an enormous web of companies that buy and sell consumer data for profit. This data is packaged and marketed as consumer financial products, such as credit reports.

You likely know Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion as the credit bureaus that produce the credit reports you’re used to seeing. These credit bureaus are the three largest and most often used among many lesser-known consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). The CRAs buy, review, and compile consumer information from other companies known as data furnishers because they furnish (provide) the data.

The data furnishers are the companies you have a direct relationship with, such as banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders, auto finance lenders, and service providers. In addition, data also comes from third-party companies that scan and pull consumer information from municipal records (such as court, tax, and property records) to package and sell to the CRAs.

Because a single credit report pulls from this broad selection of data streams, there is a significant opportunity for error, which is a shockingly common occurrence. Being mistakenly designated as deceased is one of the many errors that can appear.

The broad scope of this web of information is also why fixing a mistaken deceased designation is important and why working with an attorney is extremely helpful. At Consumer Attorneys, our lawyers are ready to help you from day one or any step in the process.

How to Find Out if I’m Labeled Deceased with a Credit Bureau

Typically, consumers learn that they’re reported as deceased because they receive condolences from a business (such as a retail store), they receive a failed credit check, get turned down for an opportunity (such as a loan, purchase, employment, or housing), or discover the error on their own while reviewing their credit report.

If you suspect that you may have been mistakenly reported as deceased on a credit report from one or all of the three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion), you should check your credit report from each. By law, you can review your credit reports weekly without any out-of-pocket cost. Also, with nearly one-third of people discovering mistakes in their consumer reports at some point, it is an incredibly good idea to get in the habit of doing these checks with regularity.

There are three ways to review your credit reports: online at annualcreditreport.com, by phone at 877-322-8228, or by mailing a request form (which can be printed at annualcreditreport.com). Online requests should only be made through this government-verified site. 

Mistakenly Reported as Deceased on TransUnion Credit Report

Unfortunately, there are no TransUnion deceased indicators so you will need to request your report from TransUnion. When you review your credit reports and discover that you are mistakenly reported as deceased by TransUnion, you will need to be proactive. TransUnion is one of the credit reporting agencies that reports its data to credit aggregators like Credit Karma. Therefore, being mistakenly identified as deceased on your TransUnion credit report can have significant and immediate consequences on your financial well-being.

Their mistake will require you to take immediate action. You will need to dispute the error with TransUnion, monitor TransUnion to make sure they investigate and fix the report, and then take further action if they don’t. You may also need to dispute the error with the SSA alerting them that your credit report is showing deceased on TransUnion.

We advise our clients to dispute their TransUnion credit report by certified mail. Doing so provides a clear paper trail and does not waive any of your rights to take further legal action. To do this, you’ll need to write a brief dispute letter. This letter should include your personal information, a detailed description of each dispute, detailed reasons why the information is inaccurate, and a clear request that TransUnion correct the inaccuracies. You will also need to attach documents to prove that you are not deceased - often this is a notarized letter. One of the experienced attorneys at Consumer Attorneys can assist you with all of this.

Where to send TransUnion dispute letter:

TransUnion LLC

Consumer Dispute Center

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, PA 19016

Fixing this mistake is necessary to maintain your financial health and to prevent the denial of a loan or credit when you need it most. When a bank or creditor checks your TransUnion credit report resulting in the flagging TransUnion account as deceased, you will lose that opportunity.

Experian Is Reporting You as Deceased

If Experian says you are dead, you can face major setbacks! You will need to contact Experian to dispute the deceased error in your credit report.

Similar to the other credit bureaus, Experian is a major consumer reporting agency or "credit reporting agency" that shares its data with various entities, including government agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA). If Experian mistakenly identifies you as deceased, it can have severe consequences for your financial standing. If the SSA reports you as deceased, a “deceased indicator” will be applied to your entire credit report. Otherwise, if a specific lender reports you as deceased, it will not apply to your entire credit report and will only apply to that specific account. But no matter how it shows up, a deceased indicator can cause major setbacks and should be disputed immediately!

To dispute errors on your credit report with Experian, it's crucial to take proactive steps. We recommend initiating the dispute process via certified mail to preserve your rights and ensure a documented record of your communication. Disputing via certified mail preserves rights that disputing online may waive. These rights, like the right to sue, may be important later in the legal process.

To have the deceased indicator removed, Experian will need a letter from the SSA saying it has corrected your record. You obtain this letter by taking originals of your identity documents to your local SSA office. This can include a birth certificate, social security card, driver’s license, etc. You will then submit the letter from the SSA along with another letter stating why you are disputing the error. You should draft a concise dispute letter to Experian, outlining each incorrect item on your report and providing factual explanations for why you are disputing the information. You should then request that the errors be deleted and corrected so that you’re no longer designated as deceased.

It's important to include copies of documents that substantiate that you’re alive and well (like the letter from the SSA and others), including a notarized letter stating this fact. You will also need to include a copy of an identification card issued by the government (like a driver’s license), one copy of either a bank or insurance statement, and a utility bill that can help verify your identity. Also include your Social Security number, your full name, your current mailing address, your date of birth, and a statement that you are not deceased. Don’t send originals of your important documents to Experian- only copies. 

Experian will have to verify the documentation once it is received by mail. If you're uncertain about the required documentation, seeking legal advice can provide clarity on which documents are necessary to support your case.

Addressing this issue promptly is essential to prevent further financial complications. Don't hesitate to take action to correct Experian's errors and protect your financial well-being.

Experian’s mailing address for disputes is:

Experian

P.O. Box 4500

Allen, TX 75013

Equifax Showing Deceased Indicator on Credit Report

Like TransUnion, Equifax is one of the credit reporting companies that sends its information to other companies and institutions, like the Social Security Administration.

If Equifax identifies you as a consumer deceased, you need to dispute it. To dispute credit report errors with Equifax - and we suggest you do so via certified mail so you do not waive your future rights to take legal action - you’ll need to send Equifax a dispute letter.

The dispute letter should be short and identify each item in your report you believe is incorrect. You should briefly state the facts and explain why you are disputing the information. You should also request a deletion or correction. Send copies of documents that prove you are not deceased. These will vary and an attorney can help you identify which ones you need. Typically they include a notarized letter. Maintain a record of every correspondence you have with Equifax.

Equifax’s mailing address for disputes is:

Equifax Information Services LLC

P.O. Box 740256

Atlanta, GA 30374-0256

Equifax showing you as deceased could have serious financial consequences for you including loss of financial opportunities and inability to get additional credit. Even though it’s an Equifax glitch declaring you deceased, it’s a problem you have to deal with.

How A False Deceased Designation Happens

In the consumer data industry, errors are common. Whether the error takes the form of wrongful information about assets and debts or about you being deceased, it all comes into existence the same ways:

  1. Input error: When data is entered into a system associated with one of your accounts, it can be entered erroneously. For instance, dates and numbers can be confused or omitted, names misspelled, or locations wrongly listed. Input errors in a certain context can flag you as deceased.

    When it comes to the false deceased indicator in a credit report, input errors made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) are also a significant source of these mistakes.

  2. Co-signer death: If you hold or have held any joint or affiliated accounts (whether personal or business), the death of your co-signer can inadvertently flag you as deceased. A lawyer can help clear up the discrepancy.
  3. Mixed Files: Are you thinking that maybe a CRA is “confusing my credit with a deceased person?“ Well, you might be right. “Mixed files” refers to a credit profile on a single individual that mistakenly contains data from one or more other individuals.

    Input errors or poor data-gathering protocols by the CRAs can cause mixed files. The algorithms used to locate and collect consumer data can co-mingle data from different consumers due to similarities in name, location, birth date, etc.

    If your information is mixed with that of someone deceased, you can inadvertently be flagged as deceased as well. By law, the CRAs should prevent this from happening, but it is a frequent occurrence anyway. Working with an attorney is your best bet for untangling this mess.

  4. Identity Theft: If you’re falsely marked as dead due to identity theft and fraud, it means that the data error that erroneously flagged you as deceased is due to criminal activity that caused confusion and misinformation concerning your data. If you are the victim of identity theft, you are potentially at risk for even far more sweeping and impactful consequences and should strongly consider working with a lawyer. Read our article on identity theft and how an attorney can help here: Identity Theft Lawyers

What to do If a Credit Bureau Lists Me as Deceased

Wondering what to do if a “credit bureau says I’m deceased?” Take quick action!

If a credit bureau lists you as deceased, you will need to prove that you are still a living, breathing, creditworthy consumer through a process of formal dispute, documentation, and identity verification.

Whether or not you work with an attorney (which we recommend), you must follow the dispute guidelines and requirements for the credit bureaus (or other CRAs) and the Social Security Administration, as explained below.

And you may need to consider filing a “mistakenly reported as deceased lawsuit.”

How to Remove a Deceased Indicator from My Credit File

If you’ve been falsely declared dead by a CRA, data furnisher, or the Social Security Administration (SSA), follow these steps to optimize your chances of attaining a successful outcome.

Everyone’s circumstances are different; every credit report is different; every situation is different. The best resource for removing a deceased status from your credit report is to contact an experienced consumer protection lawyer. They will assess your case, offer legal advice, develop a strategy to get things fixed, and be ready to represent you should things not go smoothly. While a federal law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires credit reporting agencies to investigate disputes and fix their errors, they don’t always do so. When they fail to adhere to laws, a consumer protection lawyer who already knows your circumstances will be ready to take legal action.

You can remove a deceased indicator on your credit file by yourself. You will need to file a dispute with the appropriate credit reporting agency. We recommend doing so via certified mail so you have a record of the dispute. Also, disputing errors online or over the phone can lead to you unknowingly waiving your future rights to file a lawsuit should something go awry.

And as you know because you have already been identified as deceased, things can go awry.

How to Dispute a Death Listed on a Credit Report

Are you wondering, “What should I do if a credit bureau is reporting me as deceased?” Or, “What should I do if a credit agency is reporting me as dead?”

To begin with, you must dispute any inaccurate data in your credit profile with the credit bureau(s) reporting the error and with the Social Security Administration (if the error is reported there as well).

Dispute With the Credit Bureaus

Even if the deceased designation error only exists with one outdated account, filing a dispute with the credit bureau(s) reporting the error gives formal notice that the data leading to you being reported as dead is false. Again, you can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each credit bureau (see above for specific details about how to do this) to review and identify all reporting errors before filing a dispute.

To file a dispute, you will follow the guidelines outlined by the credit bureau(s) online. If only one credit bureau is reporting you as deceased (whether on a single account or your entire profile), you only need to dispute with that bureau. If the errors impact all three credit reports, you must directly dispute with each credit bureau (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).

Why We Recommend Filing Your Dispute Via Certified Mail

The credit bureaus and other CRAs may provide an online dispute platform made available to consumers who wish to dispute information in a credit report. However, using an online platform frequently requires you to waive your right to bring a lawsuit. It is generally not in your best interest to waive your right to file a lawsuit at the outset of the dispute process. So, we strongly recommend disputing false death designations (and any other error) via certified mail. In addition, certified mail keeps you in control of the documentation confirming that you sent, and the credit bureau(s) received, the dispute package.

Send a Certified Letter and Marked Up Copies of Supporting Documents

Generally, filing a dispute will involve sending a dispute letter that identifies all entries on your credit report that are inaccurate, misleading, or false. In the case of false deceased indicators, this may apply to a designation across your entire credit profile. Be clear, precise, and thorough.

Send copies of supporting documentation, including a copy of your credit report with highlighted areas of dispute that are clearly marked and referenced in the letter. Request that the disputed entries/indicators be investigated and corrected. If you do not hear back from the credit bureau within 30 days of receipt of your certified letter, contact Consumer Attorneys.   

Being reported as deceased is grounds for a lawsuit.

Notably, if a credit bureau or other CRA is reporting you as deceased, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit even if the bureau corrects the error. For instance, correcting the error may not have prevented you from suffering harm (such as losing out on a mortgage, auto loan, or job opportunity) or from having the error reported to different companies. So, CRAs are not necessarily without fault or liability just because they correct their reports in response to your formal dispute.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides direct contact information for consumer disputes with the Credit Bureaus on its website. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Dispute With the Social Security Administration

If you are mistakenly reported dead by a credit bureau, you should check your status with the Social Security Administration (SSA). If the SSA is falsely reporting your death, you must dispute this directly with the SSA. It is not enough to simply dispute the error with the credit bureaus.

The SSA records the death of everyone issued a Social Security Number (SSN) in a Death Master File (DMF). If the SSA is falsely reporting you as deceased, it means that your SSN has erroneously made its way into the DMF. When this happens, you will need to go through a formal identity verification process to have your SSN removed from the DMF.

Filing a formal dispute to remove yourself from the DMF requires an in-person authentication process at your nearest SSA office. Please note that copies of documents are not sufficient. You will need originals for everything.

Once the SSA confirms the error, they provide you with a document indicating that the error has been corrected. You will then provide this formal proof to any other entities mistakenly reporting you as dead.

How an Attorney Can Help When Your Credit Report Says You’re Deceased

If you’ve been losing sleep because of any of these stress-inducing declarations that we’re used to hearing, our lawyers can help.

  • My credit report account says I’m dead! 
  • A credit bureau declares me deceased!
  • The SSA lists me as deceased!

Being falsely reported dead on an account, a credit report, or the SSA is distressing. We get it.

As litigators and advocates, this is what we do.

The legal practice of fighting back against inaccurate, misleading, and false information in your credit reports is called consumer protection law, and it’s what we do every day. If you’re mistakenly flagged as deceased, a consumer protection lawyer is your best asset in fighting and winning this complicated battle.  

The Consequences of Being Reported as Deceased

When you are falsely flagged as deceased, the consequences can be severe. This is primarily because when companies and lenders believe you’re dead, accounts are typically frozen or closed to prevent fraud.

For instance, if you applied for credit and your credit application came back with a death mistake, your credit will be denied for that application, and you could also:

  • Lose access to all credit accounts, such as credit cards, lines of credit, home equity, or other personal loans. 
  • Lose access to other pending opportunities, such as mortgage approvals, auto finance applications, and employment or educational opportunities.
  • Lose access to assets, including bank accounts, retirement accounts, etc.
  • Lose access to government benefits like social security, healthcare, and Medicaid.
  • Lose access to services.

State and Federal Law Protects You

The federal government enacted the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to ensure that consumers have rights and protections when it comes to the gathering and reporting of consumer data. It also puts legal obligations on the CRAs and data furnishers to use a duty of care in collecting and reporting data and investigating data disputes over inaccurate, misleading, or false data. And it allows consumers to seek compensation if the FCRA is violated.

Being falsely flagged as deceased is an error that falls within the scope of the FCRA. Other federal and state legislation may also be implicated by the facts of your particular situation.

Deceased reporting attorneys know how to work within the framework of these federal and state laws to remove the deceased indicator from your profile.

Credit Report Lawyers Protect You

Working with a lawyer who has handled every aspect of these types of cases is how you maximally protect yourself. At Consumer Attorneys, our highly experienced lawyers will help you:

  • find resolution;
  • correct deceased designation errors;
  • restore access to credit and assets;
  • overcome stalls, delays, and roadblocks;
  • protect your rights;
  • hold the responsible parties accountable;
  • push back on insufficient and inadequate investigations;
  • enforce statutory time restrictions;
  • prevent further damages from continued reporting;
  • get compensation for your financial and emotional damages.

Our law firm practices nationwide. So, when a false deceased indicator threatens your livelihood and well-being, we’re always right where you need us to be.

In addition, we also have a nationwide attorney referral network. This means that when you call to speak to one of our lawyers for a consultation, if we don’t have a lawyer practicing in the state where you live, we can still put you in contact with a top-notch, experienced lawyer in your local area.

What You Need to Know Before Contacting Lawyers

The only thing you need to know is that “The credit bureau thinks I’m dead, but I’m alive!”

Before you contact an attorney, you only need to know that you have been reported as deceased on a credit report. Whether the deceased error is coming from a data furnisher or one of the credit bureaus, you can contact a lawyer for a consultation as soon as you are aware of the mistake.

At Consumer Attorneys, our attorneys will guide you through every step of the process, explaining exactly what you need to do and offering nuanced legal advice to optimally protect your rights.

If a credit bureau declares you dead and you have already begun gathering documents and data to dispute the error before contacting us, that is not a problem. Any additional information will certainly be helpful during your consultation with a lawyer, but it is unnecessary. Our lawyers can guide you from the first step in the process through to the last, or they can join you at any point in the process if you’ve already gotten things underway before contacting a lawyer.

Please be aware that if you plan to dispute the deceased errors without a lawyer, we recommend filing any disputes and providing documentation via certified mail rather than using an online dispute platform. This is because using the online platform frequently requires you to agree to terms and conditions that are not in your best interest, such as waiving your right to sue. Waiving any legal rights at the outset of a dispute, without knowing how it will turn out, is generally not advisable. And, as attorneys highly experienced in this area of the law, we know that lawsuits are sometimes the only way to a successful resolution.

Navigating these nuanced pitfalls is one reason working with a deceased reporting lawyer will benefit you.

Can I Sue Someone Who Reported Me Dead?

If your credit report says you’re dead, but you’re alive, you can file a lawsuit.

Your attorney will sue any parties responsible for causing you financial or emotional harm. This may include CRAs (including the credit bureaus) and data furnishers. Any entity within the web of consumer data that falsely reports you as deceased in violation of federal and state law is potentially liable. In addition, any entity that does not adequately, effectively, or timely investigate the deceased designation dispute and make all necessary corrections is also potentially liable.

However, companies that act in reliance on the information in your credit report will not necessarily be liable. For instance, if a mortgage lender denies a mortgage approval because your credit report indicates that you’re deceased, the lender is not necessarily liable because it simply relies in good faith on the information it received. But if the lender then shares the erroneous deceased information with other entities, it may be liable for that act.

After a comprehensive review of your case, your lawyer will identify all parties legally liable for reporting or failing to correct the deceased designation in your profile. At Consumer Attorneys, our lawyers have years of experience making these types of determinations.

Compensation You Will Get After Suing

When you are harmed financially and emotionally by errors such as being falsely marked as deceased in your credit report, the FCRA (and other state and federal legislation) allows you to seek compensation. Filing a lawsuit over the deceased designation error is how to ultimately get compensated for the harm you suffered, whether the lawsuit results in a favorable verdict or a negotiated settlement.

This compensation generally includes compensatory damages (which are meant to make up for any financial or emotional injury you sustained) and punitive damages (which are meant to punish the responsible party so that this same mistake is less likely to happen again to you or another consumer).

A lawyer will assess the type of compensation you’re entitled to and analyze the amount of compensation to seek. Working with a lawyer who is experienced in relevant case law, fact patterns, settlements, and trials is important. The attorneys at Consumer Attorneys have the experience you need.

Credit Report Lawyers Fees

At Consumer Attorneys, if one of our lawyers accepts your case to dispute an erroneous deceased designation, you will never pay out of pocket for our services.

We also never charge for your initial consultation with one of our lawyers. After all, how can you know if you need an attorney until you speak to one? We get it.

In fact, if one of our lawyers decides to represent you through this type of dispute, the companies we sue pay all of our attorney costs and fees.

Trust Our Lawyers

With over seventy-five years of combined practice experience, the deceased reporting lawyers at Consumer Attorneys have helped thousands of clients with credit reporting issues, including false deceased designations. Our lawyers can help bring you back from the dead.

At Consumer Attorneys, our lawyers know your rights as a consumer under federal and state law. And our lawyers know the legal obligations of the companies that harm you by falsely reporting that you’re deceased.

Plus, our attorneys aren’t just litigators; we’re consumer advocates, too. This means that when our attorneys aren’t confronting the companies responsible for your harm, they fight for consumer rights through non-profit engagement and policy initiatives. Working with a lawyer who is passionate about your rights matters.

Trust our attorneys to help clear the deceased designation from your record. Let our lawyers’ legal skills, experience, and knowledge power your win.

Contact Us When You’re Reported as Deceased On Your Credit Report

If you’ve been mistakenly marked as dead on a credit report, Consumer Attorneys can help. Our team of highly skilled and knowledgeable attorneys knows the complex legal landscape of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and similar state legislation.

There are several ways to reach one of our lawyers: call (+1-877-615-1725), email ([email protected]), fill out the online intake form, or use our virtual chat option.

Our attorneys want to hear from you today!

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Michael
12/2021
I think that a Consumer Attorneys firm has been really great. They're very informative about the whole process and help you make the right decisions as far as you know what your options are.
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Issac
07/2021
Consumer Attorneys did a phenomenal job. My experience with this company has been nothing short of astounding. They are polite, knowledgeable and make sure I get the best value for my time.
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Sylvie
07/2021
Lana was very knowledgeable and patient. This was my first time using the services of a law firm to fix my credit, and the Consumer Attorneys team nailed it.
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Jennifer Wilson
05/2024
Consumer Attorneys helped restore justice. Thanks to your competence and efficiency, my "post-mortem" life in credit reports was conclusively ended, and my rights were restored. I am sincerely grateful for your help and support in such a complex situation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    This mistake is typically caused by one of three things: input errors, co-mingling of data, or identity theft. First, when the big three consumer reporting agencies, or CRAs (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), gather and compile data for consumer credit reports, they pull it from a vast web of data furnishers, such as credit card companies, banks, utilities, service providers, municipalities, etc. Something as simple as a typo in the input of information at the furnisher level can falsely designate you as deceased. Second, the CRAs use software and algorithms to gather data; sometimes, information from different consumers gets co-mingled. Third, if you're a victim of identity theft, erroneous information of all kinds can make its way into your credit report.

    By law, CRAs are supposed to conduct reviews to weed out these kinds of errors, but plenty slip by. Regardless of the reason, if your credit report shows that you've shuffled off to the great beyond when you're actually trying to secure a mortgage, you should contact an attorney. At Consumer Attorneys, we've helped thousands of people breathe life back into their credit reports.
    If you are mistakenly reported as deceased on your credit report, you should act quickly to correct the error. When you're alive and well, but your credit report says otherwise, it can throw your financial profile into complete turmoil. And, because the web of data that goes into credit reports is so vast and connected, being flagged as deceased tends to spread quickly and have financially devastating consequences. For instance, not only can loans, insurance policies, auto financing, and mortgages be denied, but you can also be closed out of your bank accounts. So, you are left without access to your credit and might also lose access to your cash.

    Whether you've experienced something jarring (like being turned down for credit because your credit report says you're deceased) or something seemingly superficial (like receiving a business mailer offering condolences on your passing), act immediately. Consumer Attorneys can help correct errors on your credit reports, protect your access to assets, mitigate damages, and resurrect your financial persona.
    If you've been flagged as deceased by a credit reporting agency (CRA), proving you're not deceased involves disputing it and providing documentation. To fix any false notice of a deceased person on your credit report, contact an experienced consumer protection attorney. At Consumer Attorneys, we know the process and the pitfalls of navigating life after a false report of death. We can act quickly to salvage your financial health and protect your credit going forward.

    Second, dispute the false report of your death with each of the largest and most used national CRAs (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Third, dispute the error with any other companies on your credit report showing you as deceased (banks, credit card companies, service providers, etc.). Fourth, notify the Social Security Administration. With each contact, provide documentation to support your claim. This includes identity documents like a birth certificate, social security card, passport, driver's license, etc. Fifth, even if the CRAs have removed the deceased reporting after your dispute, you’re likely still entitled to compensation for the erroneous reporting. You should still contact an attorney if the CRAs reported you as deceased to anyone.
    Practice Areas
    Our experienced credit report error attorneys help you fight back when you lose out on opportunities due to inaccurate, misleading, or false information in a credit report or other consumer report. This includes common mistakes like clerical errors, mixed credit reports, false deceased designations, and reporting old information (like a bankruptcy). Credit reporting errors lead to things like being denied a mortgage, refinancing, personal loan, or car loan; losing out on a job, apartment, or vacation rental; being rejected for insurance, lines of credit, or store cards; or being barred from getting the best interest rates and loan terms. See more
    Our experienced background check error attorneys help you fight back when you lose out on opportunities due to inaccurate, misleading, or false information in a background check report or tenant screening report. This includes things like false criminal information, misreporting the classification of charges, duplicate criminal entries, failing to indicate dropped charges, and reporting expunged/sealed convictions. Background check errors lead to things like being rejected as a new hire, denied a promotion, blocked from a security clearance, fired from a current job, or denied rental opportunities. They're a problem in the ride-share, store shopper, and personal shopper industries. See more
    Our experienced identity theft attorneys help you fight back against the wide variety of consumer reporting mistakes that happen following identity theft. While you may be able to pursue criminal charges against identity thieves, you are frequently left without options for cleaning up your financial accounts and credit reports. If you’ve filed notices, disputed unauthorized activity, and challenged false loans and fraudulent accounts, but financial institutions and credit bureaus keep including wrongful data in your consumer reports, there are laws that protect you. Some legal options are time-sensitive, so it is important to act quickly to enforce your rights. See more
    Our experienced debt collection harassment attorneys help you fight back against debt collectors and debt collection agencies who (1) aggressively pursue you for payments on personal, medical, or household debts based on misleading, inaccurate, or false information, (2) pursue you for debts in a manner that is in direct defiance of the clearly established debt collection laws, (3) attempt to collect debts on medical bills arising out of covered workers' compensation or Medicaid claims, or (4) use intimidation tactics like falsely implying that a debt must be paid by you immediately, in contradiction to the facts and the law. See more
    Our experienced employment discrimination attorneys help you fight back against illegal treatment at your workplace. Employment discrimination is targeting or preferring employees based on their status as a member of a protected group (or “class”) rather than their work performance, talent, or experience. Protected classes include categories such as age, race, sex, gender, disability, marital status, military status (including veteran status), pregnancy, national origin or ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. Employment discrimination can be direct (targeted actions or preferences) or indirect (policies with an unfair impact on one class). Knowing what counts as discrimination involves a nuanced factual and legal analysis. See more
    Our experienced labor and employment dispute attorneys help you fight back against workplace exploitation and disputes that arise out of your rights as an employee. This includes employee abuses such as unpaid or underpaid minimum wages, failing to pay overtime, forcing employees to work in unsafe conditions, refusing meal or rest breaks, ignoring workplace health and safety standards, unfairly denying family and medical leave, and more. While exploitative and illegal labor practices occur in every industry, some of the highest incidences of overtime and minimum wage disputes occur in food service, retail, home care, janitorial services, and construction. See more
    Our experienced car accident victim attorneys help you fight to recover from the devastating physical, emotional, and financial damages that follow in the wake of a car accident. The web of recovery is complex, requiring an attorney capable of (1) identifying the legally responsible parties, (2) holding those parties accountable, (3) navigating medical bills, including workers comp or Medicaid, (4) fending off unscrupulous debt collectors, (5) going head-to-head with insurance companies in pursuit of coverage, (6) selecting top experts for reviews, reports, and testimony, and (6) ensuring you have access to all of the resources you need to fully recover. See more
    Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys help you fight for physical, medical, emotional, and financial justice following injuries sustained at work or due to your employment. Some of the most common workplace injuries include injuries to the back, neck, head, or brain, repetitive strain injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome), and burns or chemical exposures. Workers’ compensation is supposed to cover the costs of medical expenses, lost wages, vocational rehab, and death benefits. When employers and insurance companies try to avoid the legal obligation to pay by denying coverage, working with an attorney can make the difference between getting better or going broke. See more
    Our experienced slip-and-fall accident attorneys help you recover from the physical, medical, emotional, and financial injuries that result from an accident in which you slipped, tripped, and fell on someone else’s property due to the property owner’s negligence. There are an unlimited number of scenarios that can lead to this type of accident, but two common causes of slip and fall accidents are (1) weather-related hazards, such as snow and ice, and (2) uneven surfaces, such as uneven sidewalks or floorboards. Working with a seasoned and skilled attorney sets you up to win compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. See more
    Our experienced construction injury victim attorneys fight to help you recover from the physical, medical, emotional, and financial trauma of injuries sustained while on or near a construction site. These types of injuries can impact people across a range of circumstances, including (1) construction workers employed by the company who are on-site in the course of their jobs, (2) third-party workers who are onsite for a specific task, such as contractors, subcontractors, inspectors, engineers, government regulators, etc., or (3) the public at large, injured by the negligence of those involved with the construction project, such as a bystander injured by falling equipment. See more
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    INVESTIGATIVE ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT

    You, (“Client,” “you”), and Consumer Attorneys PLLC (“CA” or “we”), located at 72-47 139th street Flushing, NY 11367 (“CA”) , hereby enter into this limited scope retainer agreement whereby you agree to grant CA the exclusive authority to investigate your potential consumer law claim(s), including but not limited to potential violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”), Electronic Funds Transfer Act “EFTA”), Fair Credit Billing Act (“FCPA”), and/or the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA”) (collectively referenced as “consumer protection statutes”). 1Please read carefully before signing:

    Authorization

    You authorize CA to investigate your potential consumer law claim(s) under state and federal consumer protection statutes. You authorize CA to contact third parties on your behalf for the limited purpose of investigating your potential consumer law claims. “Third parties” include but are not limited to consumer reporting agencies, creditors, lenders, debt collectors, rental agencies, employers, courts, and law enforcement agencies.

    CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period

    CA agrees to investigate your potential consumer law claims in good faith. By signing this agreement, you agree to give CA the exclusive right to investigate your potential consumer law claim(s) for the next 180 days (“Exclusive Investigative Period”). For the duration of the Exclusive Investigative Period, you agree that you will not communicate with any other law firm or legal representative about your potential consumer law claim(s). You agree to forgo any previously scheduled consultation or case review until CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period concludes.

    Termination of Exclusive Investigation Period

    CA agrees that the Exclusive Investigative Period may not extend beyond 180 days without your prior written consent.

    At any time between the date of this agreement and the expiration of CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period, CA may inform you of the outcome of its investigation. If CA’s investigation reveals that you have an actional consumer law claim, CA may ask you to sign a formal retainer agreement. If CA’s investigation does not reveal an actionable consumer law claim, you will receive an e-mail that states CA will not represent you in any further pursuit of your potential claim(s).

    The relationship between you and CA automatically terminates at 5pm on the 180th day of the Exclusive Investigative Period or your receipt of CA’s written notice to decline representation, whichever comes sooner. At the conclusion of the Exclusive Investigative Period or upon receipt of CA’s written declination of representation, you are permitted to seek alternative legal counsel without penalty.

    Nothing in this agreement should be construed as a promise or guarantee that CA will represent you in a consumer lawsuit at any point in time. CA reserves the right to decline to represent you for any reason permitted by relevant laws and ethical rules.

    Your Involvement and Promises to us

    You agree to meaningfully participate and cooperate in CA’s investigation of your potential consumer law claim(s). You agree to immediately inform CA if your mailing address, e-mail address, or phone number changes at any point during the Exclusive Investigative Period.
    You agree to provide all relevant information, communications, documents, materials, and all other similar instruments to CA and its representatives during the Exclusive Investigative Period. You understand that your failure to provide all relevant information, communications, documents, and materials to CA during the Exclusive Investigative Period may hinder, delay or otherwise frustrate CA’s investigation of your potential consumer law claim(s).

    You agree, under penalty of perjury, to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information to CA. All documents and communications, oral or written, past or future, provided to CA during the Exclusive Investigative Period and anytime thereafter are presumed by CA to be true, complete, and accurate.

    Fees and Costs Incurred During Exclusive Investigative Period

    CA agrees that you will not incur any out-of-pocket fees or costs during CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period. However, if CA agrees to represent you in a consumer lawsuit, CA may recover the fees and costs incurred during the Exclusive Investigative Period from the Defendant pursuant to a future settlement or judgment.

    You agree that CA has a right to place a lien on any future monetary recovery obtained by client related to the claims identified during CA’s Exclusive Investigative Period or as a result of CA’s investigative efforts. If you refuse to cooperate with CA in the formal pursuit of the consumer law claim(s) it identifies during or after the Exclusive Investigative Period, you agree that CA has the right to recover the fees and costs it incurred while investigating your potential consumer law claim(s).

    Authorization to Use Your Electronic Signature

    CA will send you any and all documents that require your signature. You authorize CA to affix your electronic signature to requests, disclosures, or other forms that CA deems reasonably necessary to the investigation of your potential consumer law claim(s) upon receipt of your approval or after the 7th day after the document was sent to you, whichever comes first. Your electronic signature will be used on any and all other subsequent documents that will need signature, affirmation, acknowledgment, or any other forms of authentication in reference to this matter under the above referenced procedure.

    1You also agree to give CA the exclusive authority to investigate potential violations of state-specific consumer protection statutes.

    All Rights Reserved. Without Prejudice. CONSUMER ATTORNEYS

    FORM # INV2024CA119

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