How to Obtain a Credit Report for the Deceased

As the executor or administrator of your loved one's estate, one of your fiduciary duties is to make sure that outstanding debts are paid from the estate's assets. Obtaining a credit report for the deceased can help you identify existing loans, credit card balances and other types of debt of which you may be unaware. However, this also lets you make sure that an identity thief has not acquired the deceased's personal information to coast on your loved one's good credit history.

Instructions

1

Gather the information you need about the three major consumer reporting agencies (CRAs)you will need to make contact with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion individually. Contact information is as follows:

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
1 (800) 685-1111

Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-0949
1 (888) 397-3742

TransUnion
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
1(800) 916-8800

2

Put your request in writing, advises financial adviser Lucy Lazarony. In your letter, specify your name and contact information and your relationship to the deceased. Specify your loved one's full name, Social Security number and most recent address. Also make sure the CRA puts a "do not issue credit" notice in your loved one's credit filethis is also known as a "security freeze." Include copies of the deceased's death certificate as well as documentation supporting your legal relationship with the deceased as executor or administrator of the estate.

3

Make copies of all correspondence sent to the CRAs and send the originals by certified mail, return receipt requested. By doing so, you ensure that the CRA receives notification of your loved one's death, as well as your request for his credit report.

4

Further protect your loved one from identity theft by contacting the Social Security Administration, which assembles a "Death Master File," advises MSN Money (although CRAs will defer to this file, they typically do not do so right away). Once informed of your loved one's death, her Social Security Number will be marked as "inactive"a further deterrent to identity theft. For more information, see the Resources link below.