Deceased notation on credit report after identity theft

Question

I recently discovered my credit report shows me as deceased, and I think it might be related to identity theft. A few months ago, I had some fraudulent accounts open in my name, and now this. I'm not sure if someone is trying to completely take over my identity by marking me as dead, or if the credit bureau just made a mistake while investigating the fraud. Either way, I'm alive, I'm dealing with identity theft, and now I also have to prove I'm not deceased. This is a nightmare. How do I handle both the identity theft and the deceased notation at the same time? And if this is all connected, can I hold the credit bureau responsible for making my situation even worse?

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

When identity theft coincides with a deceased notation on your credit report, you're dealing with two serious FCRA violations that require immediate attention. It's possible that fraudulent activity in your name triggered incorrect data matches that led to the deceased notation, or that someone deliberately tried to mark you as deceased as part of a more sophisticated identity theft scheme. Regardless of the cause, both the identity theft and the deceased error represent failures by the credit bureaus to maintain accurate information.

To address both issues:

File an identity theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov immediately
Dispute both the fraudulent accounts and the deceased notation with all three credit bureaus
Provide comprehensive proof of identity: government ID, Social Security card, recent financial statements, and any documentation of the identity theft
Request that the credit bureaus block all fraudulent information under FCRA Section 605B
Send all disputes by certified mail to create a legal record
Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze to prevent further unauthorized activity

The credit bureaus have heightened responsibilities when identity theft is involved. They must conduct thorough investigations, block fraudulent information promptly, and correct inaccurate data like the deceased notation. If they fail to do so, mix up your legitimate information with fraudulent data, or worsen your situation by maintaining the deceased status, you may have strong grounds for legal action. We help clients navigate complex identity theft cases that involve deceased notations, ensuring that credit bureaus properly separate legitimate information from fraud and restore accurate credit files. If you're dealing with both identity theft and a deceased notation, contact us for a free consultation. We can help you untangle this situation and hold the credit bureaus accountable for any violations of your rights.