How do I fix being reported dead on my credit report when Social Security has the correct information?

Question

I'm being reported dead on my credit report by both Equifax and TransUnion, but when I called the Social Security Administration, they confirmed that my records are correct and I'm not listed as deceased in their system. So if Social Security knows I'm alive, why are the credit bureaus still reporting me as dead? I've sent disputes to both bureaus explaining that SSA has verified I'm alive, but they both came back with the same response: "information verified." I even went to my local Social Security office and got a printout showing my status is active, not deceased, and sent that to the credit bureaus. Still nothing. My bank is now asking me for additional identification every time I try to do anything, my insurance company is investigating my policies, and I'm terrified this is going to keep spreading. If the source of the information (Social Security) says I'm alive, how can the credit bureaus continue to report me as dead? What else can I possibly send them to prove I exist?

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

Being reported dead on your credit report when the Social Security Administration has verified you're alive demonstrates a critical failure in the credit bureaus' reporting procedures. This situation reveals that the error likely originated from a different source, not the SSA's Death Master File, and the credit bureaus are either failing to properly investigate or are relying on incorrect information from another data furnisher. Under the FCRA, credit bureaus have a duty to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy (15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b)). When you provide proof from the Social Security Administration that you're not deceased in their records, yet Equifax and TransUnion continue reporting you as dead, they're demonstrating inadequate investigation procedures.

Understanding the disconnect and how to fix it:

The error source may not be SSA: If Social Security shows you as alive, the deceased indicator likely came from a creditor, collection agency, or another data furnisher who incorrectly reported your status
Credit bureaus must investigate the actual source: They can't just verify with SSA. They need to identify which creditor or entity reported you as deceased and investigate that source
Your SSA verification is crucial evidence: The printout from Social Security proving you're alive is powerful evidence that the credit bureaus' information is wrong
Multiple bureau errors suggest a common source: If both Equifax and TransUnion show you as deceased, they likely received incorrect information from a creditor that reports to both

You've done more than most people would by obtaining official verification from Social Security, yet the credit bureaus are still failing their duty to investigate and correct. At this point, the issue isn't lack of evidence, it's the credit bureaus' failure to conduct a meaningful investigation into the actual source of the deceased indicator. We can force them to do their job properly. Our approach includes: identifying which creditor or data furnisher originally reported you as deceased, demanding that the bureaus investigate that specific source rather than just checking with SSA, and if they continue to fail, filing a federal lawsuit under 15 U.S.C. § 1681i for failure to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation. The fact that your bank and insurance company are now being affected shows this error is causing real, ongoing harm that extends beyond just credit denials. You may be entitled to compensation for all of these disruptions to your financial life. Contact us immediately with your credit reports, the SSA verification document, and the bureaus' "verified" responses. We'll identify the true source of the error and force correction, and we only get paid if we win your case.