Why does my credit report say I'm deceased?

Question

I'm completely baffled. I checked my credit report today and it literally says I'm deceased. I have no idea how this happened. I haven't had any identity theft that I know of, I haven't been hospitalized, and I definitely haven't died. But somehow the credit bureau has me marked as dead, and now I'm worried about what this means for my accounts, my credit cards, and my ability to get loans. Is this a common mistake? How does something like this even happen, and more importantly, how do I prove to these companies that I'm alive and get this nightmare fixed?

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

Credit bureaus marking living consumers as deceased is unfortunately more common than it should be, and it represents a serious breach of the FCRA's accuracy standards. This error typically occurs when credit bureaus receive incorrect data from the Social Security Administration's Death Master File, mix your file with a deceased person who has a similar name or Social Security number, or process inaccurate information from creditors or data furnishers. Regardless of the cause, the credit bureau is responsible for maintaining accurate information.

Here's what you need to do:

Immediately dispute the error with all three credit bureaus in writing
Gather strong proof of life: valid government ID, Social Security card, recent tax returns, medical records, utility bills, bank statements
Send your dispute package by certified mail to create a legal paper trail
Clearly state that you are alive and request immediate removal of the deceased notation
Ask that corrected reports be sent to anyone who received the false information

The credit bureaus must investigate your dispute within 30 days and correct the error if it's inaccurate. However, if they fail to act quickly, dismiss your evidence, or if this error has already caused harm such as frozen accounts, denied credit, or financial losses, you have legal rights under the FCRA. We help clients in these situations force rapid correction of their credit files and pursue compensation for damages caused by the bureaus' negligence. Contact us today for a free case review to understand your options and protect your financial future.