Identity Theft After Death

Until authorities update their databases regarding a new death, criminals can open credit cards, apply for jobs under a dead person’s name, and get state identification cards.

A recent Wall Street Journal article offers eight steps to protecting a deceased loved one’s identity:  

1. Get multiple copies of the death certificate because most authorities will need one for their records. 
2. Request the deceased’s credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus. 
3. Request that the credit bureaus suppress the deceased’s credit file. 
4. Send a copy of the death certificate to all of the deceased’s creditors. 
5. Request a benefits statement for review from the Social Security Administration 
6. Cancel the deceased’s identification cards including: driver’s license, AAA membership, and health insurance. 
7. Securely store all documents that contain the Social Security Number of the deceased. 
8. Avoid giving too many details about the deceased in public death announcements.

Ultimately, “[c]oping with the loss of a loved one can be difficult, and sorting through a pile of bills that may or may not be legitimately payable by the estate will not soften the grief.” Aleksandra Todorova, Dead Ringers: Grave Robbers Turn to ID Theft, WSJ, April 18, 2010.

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this to my attention.