Many consumers, unfortunately, experience the shock of discovering that their credit report says they’re deceased. This frustrating situation can have severe consequences for their financial lives. At Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C., our dedicated consumer law attorneys have the expertise and knowledge to help you navigate the complex world of deceased credit reporting errors.
Why Does Your Credit Report Say You’re Deceased?
Here are some common causes for being mistakenly reported as deceased on your credit report:
- Mixed Files: Mistakenly marking someone as deceased instead of another individual with a similar name is a common mistake that can occur.
- Identity Theft: Fraudsters may attempt to take advantage of your personal information. In some cases, they may falsely report your death to avoid paying debts or to obtain financial gain.
- Administrative Mistakes: Sometimes, administrative errors occur within financial institutions or government agencies, leading to inaccurate information being reported to credit bureaus.
Consequences of Being Reported as Deceased on Your Credit Report
A false deceased indicator on your credit report can cause significant problems for you as a consumer. You will no longer have a credit score if you are marked as deceased. You also lose any access to credit. This can be a hassle as many people don’t know they are marked as deceased until they try to get a loan, credit, or a home. The other big issue is that it can open you to scammers and identity theft.
What to Do If Your Credit Report Says Deceased
Discovering that your credit report states you’re deceased may initially leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Here are steps you can take to address this issue and restore your creditworthiness:
- Obtain a Copy of Your Credit Report: If you do not have copies already, you can request a free credit report from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They provide them for free to you annually at annualcreditreport.com. Carefully review the reports for inaccuracies, including the “deceased” status.
- Contact the Credit Bureaus: Notify the credit bureaus in writing about the error. Provide them with all relevant documentation that proves you are alive, such as a valid driver’s license, passport, or Social Security card. Be sure to keep copies of all communications for your records.
- Dispute the Error: File a dispute with the credit bureaus, clearly stating that you are alive and have been mistakenly reported as deceased. Include any supporting evidence, such as utility bills, bank statements, or employment records, that show you are still living.
- Contact the Furnishers of Information: Reach out to the creditors or entities that provided the erroneous information about your death to the credit bureaus. Request that they correct the mistake and provide you with written confirmation of the correction.
- Seek Legal Assistance: If your efforts to correct the mistake are unsuccessful, it may be time to consult a consumer law attorney. They can guide you through the legal process, advocate, and protect your rights.
Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), credit reporting agencies must be sure that the information they provide in your credit report is accurate and up-to-date. So many institutions use them to determine your creditworthiness, and employers and landlords often use them to determine eligibility for hiring and leasing opportunities. You have the right to dispute any inaccurate information and have it corrected. You also have the right to sue the credit reporting agency for continuing to report false information on your report.
What happens when you file a dispute?
Once you file a dispute for the inaccurate deceased credit report, the credit reporting agency will have 30 days to investigate the issue and update your report.
Can I sue the Credit Reporting Agency for Marking Me as Deceased?
Suppose you are denied credit for a home, apartment, or job due to being mistakenly reported as deceased on your credit report. In that scenario, you may have a case and be able to sue the credit reporting agency and any company that provided false information to the credit reporting agency.
Mistakenly Marked as Deceased Lawsuits
These cases are only a few examples of the many lawsuits that the consumer law firm of Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C. has handled for consumers against, the big three credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
If any of the following situations have happened to you by being marked deceased on your credit report, you may have a case and be able to sue in federal court. Get a free case review now.
Judy Ann Sego v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc. – N.D. G.A. – Plaintiff is listed as deceased on two accounts on her Experian report. The Plaintiff is not deceased. As a result of this inaccurate reporting, Plaintiff has lost opportunities to obtain credit.
Stefanie Jones v. Equifax. – Ms. Jones was inaccurately marked as deceased by Equifax. Ms. Jones disputed the inaccuracy, and it was verified as accurate. As a result of the inaccurate deceased reporting, Ms. Jones was unable to get a credit card.
Ronald Barrett v. Equifax. – Mr. Barrett was inaccurately marked as deceased by Equifax. As a result of the inaccurate deceased reporting, Mr. Barrett was unable to get an auto loan.
McCants v. Equifax and 21st Mortgage Company. – Plaintiff was marked as deceased on her Equifax credit report; specifically on her 21st Mortgage account trade line. She disputed to Equifax and both Equifax and 21st mortgage failed to correct this inaccurate information. As a result she was denied and auto loan.
Kinakin v. TransUnion. – Plaintiff is marked as deceased by TransUnion. This has been an ongoing issue for Plaintiff, and as a result of the “deceased” marker, TransUnion refused to provide a credit score for Plaintiff. As a result, she has been denied the use of her credit on multiple occasions. In an attempt to correct the issue, Plaintiff has disputed with TransUnion, and while TransUnion will correct the problem, the correction only lasts a few months, and then the same problem re-occurs.
Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C.: Consumer attorneys for Deceased Credit Reporting Errors
Don’t let a mistaken deceased indicator on your credit report hold you back financially. At Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C., we understand how stressful it can be when your credit report mistakenly identifies you as deceased. Our experienced consumer law attorneys have successfully helped numerous clients restore their credit and resolve issues related to mistaken deceased indicators on their credit reports.
Contact us today at 1-877-735-8600 for a free consultation or fill out our free case review form. There is no obligation with the free case review and no fees unless we win.
