You’ve applied to rent an apartment. Or maybe you’re buying a car, refinancing your student loans, or switching jobs. You’ve done everything right: your finances are solid, your credit history is clean. But then something bizarre happens. The application is denied.
Why? Because Equifax says you’re dead.
It’s surreal, disturbing, and absolutely real. Every year, thousands of consumers discover that one of the major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—has mistakenly flagged them as deceased on their credit report. That single error can unravel someone’s life.
At Raburn Kaufman, we represent individuals nationwide who’ve been affected by this exact mistake. And we know how devastating it can be—financially, legally, emotionally.
What Does “Reported as Deceased” Mean?
When a credit bureau receives notice—accurate or not—that someone has died, it applies a death marker to their credit file. This marker isn’t simply a note. It triggers a system-wide freeze:
- New credit applications are automatically rejected
- Existing accounts may be closed or suspended
- Credit scores can disappear altogether
- Verification tools used by lenders and employers may fail
The bureaus rely on a variety of sources to apply this marker, including:
- Social Security Administration (SSA) records, especially the Death Master File (DMF)
- Banks and financial institutions, which may report a death based on internal account activity
- Family members or representatives, submitting notifications after someone passes
- Third-party data vendors are used to verify consumer identity information
The system is meant to prevent fraud, but it doesn’t always work as intended. One wrong input, one mislinked file, and a living person becomes invisible to the financial world.
Why These Errors Occur
The causes are surprisingly routine—and frustratingly common.
Clerical and Data Entry Mistakes
A mistyped Social Security number (SSN). A shared surname between relatives. A birth date entered incorrectly. Small errors can cause massive confusion, especially when automated systems manage financial records.
Social Security Miscommunication
The SSA’s Death Master File is meant to be accurate—but it has documented cases of mistakenly listing individuals as deceased. Since credit reporting agencies and bureaus use this file to update their records, one government error can ripple across dozens of industries.
Mixed Credit Files
Consumers who share similar names, addresses, or identifying information may experience credit file mixing—where two different people’s financial data gets merged. If one person has died, the mistake can be transferred to the other.
Identity Theft Triggers
Fraudsters frequently target the identities of deceased individuals. When these fraudulent accounts get flagged, credit bureaus sometimes mark the living person as deceased by mistake—especially when records aren’t properly verified.
Joint Account Confusion
If your spouse or relative passes away and you share a financial account, a poorly coded closure might apply the deceased status to both account holders.
Real-World Consequences of a False Deceased Flag
This isn’t a minor inconvenience but a full-blown disruption with effects that are often immediate and severe.
Loan and Credit Denials
You may be turned away for mortgages, car loans, personal credit lines, or even basic financing applications. Lenders rely on automated checks—and when your report flags you as deceased, applications are denied instantly.
Banking Access Disruption
Your debit card might stop working. Your direct deposit could bounce. Banks may freeze or close your accounts based on incomplete or inaccurate death notices.
Employment Screening Failures
Many industries require credit checks for hiring. If your credit report shows a deceased status, it can halt your job search without warning.
Insurance and Housing Risks
Insurance claims may be denied. Apartments may become unavailable. Mortgages may fall through. A death marker undermines essential life milestones.
Mental and Emotional Stress
Being declared dead when you’re very much alive brings emotional consequences that data systems don’t measure. Clients describe feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and even fear as they try to prove their existence to institutions that no longer recognize them.
Your Legal Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
When a credit bureau misreports your status, it’s not just a mistake—it may be a violation of federal law.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) holds Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and other data furnishers to strict standards. You have a right to:
- Accurate and verifiable data in your credit file
- Timely investigation when you raise concerns
- Correction of false information, or deletion if unverifiable
- Notification of actions taken and access to updated credit reports
- Compensation for harm, if the error led to financial loss or emotional distress
If a bureau wrongly labels you deceased and fails to correct the record properly—or drags out the process despite clear proof—it’s not just frustrating. It’s legally actionable.
What Raburn Kaufman Does to Hold Credit Bureaus Accountable
We don’t just interpret FCRA rights—we use them to build legal cases that bring results.
Reviewing the Entire Record
We start with a deep analysis of your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Our team will work with you to identify every instance of the error, every denied opportunity, and every associated harm.
Building a Precise Legal Narrative
Using the documentation you provide, such as rejection letters, account closures, missed job opportunities, we compile a legal timeline of events. This becomes the backbone of your case and guides our strategic action.
We also analyze how the deceased flag entered your report and whether the credit bureaus or furnishers failed to follow proper procedures related to the inaccurate credit reporting.
Escalating the Case Through Formal Legal Channels
If the credit bureau does not correct the error on its own, it may become necessary to dispute the inaccurate reporting. It is always advisable to first speak to a credit reporting attorney in order to ensure your legal rights are protected. If necessary, your case may be escalated by filing a lawsuit in federal court under the FCRA.
Pursuing Compensation for Every Layer of Harm
We quantify financial losses such as:
- Denied loans
- Higher interest rates
- Missed employment opportunities
And we pursue compensation for emotional tolls, including:
- Emotional distress
- Humiliation and embarrassment
Negotiating Settlements When Appropriate
Many cases are resolved through strategic negotiation without ever going to trial. Credit reporting agencies understand what happens when they’re taken to court over a false deceased notation, and our team knows how to negotiate meaningful outcomes that restore your credit standing and bring you closure.
Our Commitment to Accessibility
We operate on a contingency basis. That means:
- No upfront costs
- No financial risk to you
If we win, our fees are covered by the responsible parties. If we don’t, you owe us nothing. This model ensures every individual has access to experienced legal representation, regardless of their income.
What You Can Do Today
If Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion shows you as deceased, take action promptly. Every day that error remains, it creates risk.
Helpful steps include:
- Downloading your credit reports for free from AnnualCreditReport.com
- Saving emails, letters, or denial messages
- Documenting calls and conversations
- Taking screenshots of online account restrictions
- Saving evidence of missed opportunities or financial losses
Once you’ve gathered what you can, reach out to a team that knows how to turn facts into results.
Your Financial Identity Deserves Protection
Being mistakenly declared dead shouldn’t mean the end of your financial progress. At Raburn Kaufman, we understand how to challenge false identity data on credit reports and restore access—efficiently, compassionately, and with full legal strength.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We represent clients nationwide, and we don’t get paid unless you win. Your name, your credit, and your future are worth fighting for.
