Introduction
Imagine applying for credit and being told your file shows you’re deceased. This jarring scenario becomes reality for thousands of Americans each year.The error can feel surreal and deeply frustrating, creating both immediate financial disruption and lasting emotional distress.
An authorized user is someone granted permission to use another person’s credit card account, typically a spouse, child, or close family member. While this arrangement can help build credit history, it also creates vulnerabilities within the credit reporting system. When the primary account holder passes away, miscommunications between banks and credit bureaus can lead to devastating errors—including incorrectly marking authorized users as deceased.
These mistakes don’t simply disappear on their own. Correcting this error means navigating a credit reporting system fraught with inaccuracy and inefficiency. Many consumers attempt to resolve these mistakes independently, only to find that online disputes and phone calls lead to dead ends.
At Raburn Kaufman, we understand the profound impact these errors create. Our legal team focuses on helping individuals correct false deceased notations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), working to restore your credit profile and pursue compensation for the damages you’ve endured.
What Does It Mean to Be an Authorized User?
Authorized user status allows you to benefit from someone else’s credit history while having access to their account. This arrangement proves particularly valuable for spouses building joint financial profiles or parents helping children establish credit. When you’re added as an authorized user, the account’s payment history, credit utilization, and age typically appear on your credit report, potentially boosting your credit score.
However, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between account ownership and access. As an authorized user, you can make purchases and payments, but you don’t hold legal responsibility for the debt. The primary account holder maintains full ownership and ultimate liability for all charges and payments.
Credit bureaus interpret this status by linking your credit file to the primary account holder’s through shared account information. This connection, while beneficial for credit building, creates potential points of failure when the primary account holder’s status changes. The bureaus rely on accurate data from banks and other financial institutions to maintain these connections properly.
When the Primary Account Holder Passes Away
When a primary account holder dies, banks typically notify credit bureaus of the death through automated reporting systems. These notifications should clearly identify the deceased individual using specific identifiers like Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and account details. However, the process isn’t foolproof.
Common miscommunications arise from several sources. Shared addresses between spouses or family members can confuse automated systems. Credit file linking algorithms may incorrectly associate authorized users with the deceased primary account holder. Banks sometimes report incorrect Social Security numbers or transpose digits, leading to misidentification.
Authorized users face particular vulnerability to mistaken identity because their credit files are already connected to the primary account holder’s information. Spouses represent the highest-risk group, as they often share surnames, addresses, and financial accounts. When automated systems process death notifications, these shared data points can trigger incorrect updates to the surviving spouse’s credit file.
What Happens When You’re Misreported as Deceased
The consequences of false deceased reporting extend far beyond simple inconvenience. Credit applications face automatic denials because lenders cannot legally extend credit to someone marked as deceased. Existing accounts may freeze, preventing access to funds and disrupting automatic payments. Your credit score can plummet as accounts show as “closed due to death” rather than maintaining positive payment history.
The emotional toll proves equally devastating. Discovering that the credit reporting system considers you dead while you’re grieving a spouse’s loss compounds an already difficult situation. The error can feel like a denial of your existence and independence, particularly for surviving spouses who may be navigating financial independence for the first time.
Legal barriers emerge when attempting to dispute the error independently. Credit bureaus often require extensive documentation to reverse deceased notations. The dispute process can stretch for months, during which time your credit remains frozen and your financial life remains disrupted.
Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act establishes clear legal duties for credit bureaus to investigate and correct inaccurate information. When you dispute a deceased notation, bureaus must conduct a reasonable investigation within 30 days. This investigation should include contacting the data source, reviewing supporting documentation, and making appropriate corrections.
Credit bureaus cannot simply dismiss disputes without proper investigation. They must examine the evidence you provide and make corrections when the information proves inaccurate. Failure to follow these procedures can result in legal liability for damages caused by continued reporting of false information.
When mistakes become actionable in court, the FCRA provides multiple avenues for compensation. You may recover actual damages for financial losses, including denied credit, higher interest rates, and lost opportunities. Emotional distress damages acknowledge the psychological impact of being incorrectly reported as deceased.
How Raburn Kaufman Can Help
Our legal team provides comprehensive support for individuals facing false deceased reporting errors. We begin with a free case evaluation to assess your situation and explain your legal options. This consultation helps you understand the scope of the error and the potential for legal recovery.
When credit bureaus fail to correct errors through standard dispute processes, we escalate matters through federal litigation. Our attorneys have extensive experience prosecuting FCRA cases and understand the specific challenges posed by deceased reporting errors. We work to ensure that your credit files reflect accurate information while seeking compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.
We recognize that spouses, caregivers, and family members face unique challenges when dealing with these errors. Our personalized approach addresses both the technical aspects of credit error and the emotional support needed during difficult times. We understand that correcting these errors often occurs alongside grieving and major life transitions.
Our contingency-based representation ensures that legal help remains accessible regardless of your financial situation. Clients pay nothing upfront, and attorney fees come from any recovery we obtain on your behalf. This arrangement allows you to pursue justice without additional financial stress during an already challenging time.
Restoring Your Financial Identity
Being falsely reported as deceased represents one of the most serious credit reporting errors you can face. The mistake doesn’t simply affect your credit score—it can fundamentally disrupt your financial life and emotional well-being. Understanding your rights under the FCRA empowers you to take action against credit bureaus that fail to maintain accurate records.
You don’t have to navigate this complex situation alone. Our experienced legal team at Raburn Kaufman stands ready to help you correct false deceased notations and seek compensation for the damages these errors have caused. Contact us today for your free case evaluation and take the first step toward restoring your financial identity and peace of mind.
