How to Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft When a Loved One Dies

A new trend in identity theft – afterlife identity theft – is on the rise, with thieves scouring obituaries for personal information to steal the identities of those who have passed.  When you lose a loved one, it is important to take quick action and notify a number of institutions and government agencies about the death to help prevent afterlife identity theft.

The National Funeral Directors Association provides a list of government and credit reporting agencies, creditors and banks for notification, including:

• Social Security Administration
• Veteran's Administration (if the decedent formerly served in the military)
• Defense Finance and Accounting Service (military service retiree receiving benefits)
• Office of Personnel Management (if the decedent is a former federal civil service employee)
• S. Citizen and Immigration Service (If the decedent was not a U.S. citizen)
• State Department of Motor Vehicles (If the decedent had a driver's license)
• Credit card and merchant card companies
• Banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions
• Mortgage companies and lenders
• Financial planners and stock brokers
• Pension providers
• Life insurers and annuity companies
• Health, medical and dental insurers
• Disability insurers
• Automotive insurer
• Mutual benefit companies
• All three credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
• Any memberships held by the decedent (ex: health clubs, professional associations, clubs, library etc.)

The NFDA recommends that you notify these entities first by phone followed by a written confirmation, where you will need to provide a certified copy of the death certificate, the decedent’s Social Security number and, if you are the executor or administrator of an estate, the verification of your appointment by a probate court.  Be sure to ask the funeral home you are using if they can provide notification services for you, as many do.

If you would like to have a talk about protecting your loved ones through estate planning, contact a Personal Family Lawyer® today to schedule a time for us to sit down and talk.