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Quick answer
A deceased notation can appear on a living person’s credit report when a lender, a data error or a government record wrongly marks them as deceased. It can make getting new credit very difficult. You can dispute it for free with each credit bureau that shows it.
What does “deceased” on a credit report mean?
Credit bureaus and lenders use a deceased indicator to flag accounts or files that belong to someone who has died. The flag is meant to stop new credit being opened in a deceased person’s name. When it lands on a living person by mistake, it can work against them in the same way.
Because many lenders rely on a credit score, and a file flagged as deceased may not produce a usable score, people in this situation often see applications denied with little explanation.
Signs you may be marked as deceased
Check your reports and tick anything that matches your situation.
These signs can point to a deceased notation on your file. An advocate can review your report with you, free of charge.
Start a free reviewWhy living people get marked as deceased
A joint account holder died
A lender may flag the whole account, including the surviving account holder.
A lender’s data entry error
The wrong code can be reported on an account by mistake.
A government records error
An incorrect entry in Social Security death records can spread to other databases.
A mixed file
Information from a deceased person with similar details is matched to you.
If you also see accounts or addresses that aren’t yours, read our guide to mixed credit files.
What the law says
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), both credit bureaus and the companies that report to them have duties around accuracy.
- Accuracy
- Credit bureaus must follow reasonable procedures to make sure your report is as accurate as possible.
- Lenders’ duties
- Companies that report information must not report data they know is inaccurate, and must investigate disputes the bureaus send them.
- Free disputes
- You can dispute inaccurate information at no cost.
- Investigation
- The bureau generally must investigate within 30 days, and up to 45 days in some situations.
- Correction
- Information found to be inaccurate or unverifiable must be corrected or deleted.
This is a general summary of public federal law, not legal advice. State laws may give you additional rights.
Steps you can take
- Get your reports from all three bureausFind which bureaus show the notation and which account it’s attached to.
- Check your Social Security records if neededIf a government record lists you as deceased, the Social Security Administration explains how to correct it, usually in person with proof of identity.
- Dispute with each bureau that shows itInclude proof of identity, such as a government-issued ID, and keep copies of everything.
- Contact the lender that reported itAsk the company listed on the account to correct the information it sends to the bureaus.
- Escalate if it isn’t resolvedYou can submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Marked as deceased and getting denied? We can review your report with you.
Common questions about deceased notations
Can a deceased notation stop me from getting credit?
It can make it very difficult. Many lenders rely on a credit score, and a file flagged as deceased may not produce one.
How can I be marked deceased if I’m alive?
Common causes include the death of a joint account holder, a lender’s data entry error, an error in government death records, or a mixed credit file.
Do I need to contact the Social Security Administration?
Only if its records wrongly list you as deceased. If the error comes from a single lender, a dispute with the bureaus and the lender is usually where to start.
Does it cost anything to dispute?
No. Disputing information with the credit bureaus is free.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission: Disputing errors on your credit reports
- Federal Trade Commission: Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Social Security Administration
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Submit a complaint
This guide is general information based on public sources. It isn’t legal advice, and Credit Dispute is not a law firm.