What should I do if I'm mistakenly reported dead on my credit report and can't get approved for anything?

Question

I went to apply for a car loan last week and the dealer told me my application was immediately rejected. When I asked why, they said my credit report shows I'm deceased. I'm obviously alive and standing right there, but apparently Equifax has me marked as dead in their system. I've never been late on payments, my credit score was good the last time I checked, and now I can't get approved for anything because their records say I don't exist anymore. I tried calling Equifax but they just told me to dispute it online and wait 30 days. I need this fixed now because I can't access credit, I can't refinance my mortgage, and I'm worried this is affecting my bank accounts too. How did this even happen and what can I do to prove I'm alive and get my credit restored immediately?

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

Being mistakenly reported dead on your credit report is one of the most severe and damaging errors a credit bureau can make, and it falls under the Fair Credit Reporting Act's (FCRA) accuracy requirements. When Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion incorrectly marks you as deceased, this is a critical violation of their duty to maintain maximum possible accuracy under 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b). This error doesn't just damage your credit score — it can completely freeze your financial life, preventing you from accessing loans, credit cards, mortgages, and even employment opportunities.

Here's what you need to do immediately:

Gather proof of life: Collect your driver's license, passport, recent utility bills, bank statements, and any other documents showing current activi
Dispute in writing: Send a certified letter to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) with copies of your identification and proof that you are alive
Request immediate correction: Demand that they correct the deceased status and send updated reports to any creditors who received the false information
Document all denials: Save every rejection letter, email, or notice you've received due to this error
Contact us with your credit reports: Send us the reports showing the deceased notation and any denial notices you've received

Credit bureaus have a legal obligation to investigate and correct this type of error promptly. If they fail to do so, continue reporting you as deceased after being notified, or use inadequate procedures that allowed this error to occur in the first place, you may have grounds for a lawsuit under the FCRA. We've seen cases where bureaus took months to correct deceased status errors while our clients suffered devastating financial consequences. You may be entitled to compensation for the harm this has caused, including lost opportunities, emotional distress, and any financial losses. Our firm can help you force the bureaus to correct this error immediately and hold them accountable for the damage they've caused. Contact us today for a free consultation — we work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.