Deceased Reporting Errors

It can be very distressing when you receive a credit denial. But what’s worse is when you find out that the reason for the denial was that a credit bureau erroneously reported you as deceased. 

While it may seem like you’ve found yourself in a strange situation, being reported as dead on your credit report is a fairly common occurrence. Many people each year experience this same problem. 

Read on to learn why you could have such errors on your credit file, the consequences, and how to address the situation.

Why You Would Be Mistakenly Reported as Deceased on Your Credit Report

Being mistakenly reported as deceased could occur when you have a joint account with someone who has died, especially if you share the same last name. It could be your spouse, a family member, or anyone with whom you have shared account authorization.

The deceased indicator is a critical way to protect a dead person’s credit information from fraud, identity theft, and misuse. An indication of death only becomes a problem when the deceased indicator is placed on the wrong credit file. This likely means a creditor has reported your account as being associated with a deceased person.

If you’ve been reported as deceased by a credit reporting agency, you may not be aware of the error until you apply for credit, as the lending institution usually requests a copy of your credit report from the credit bureau during the application process.

How This Error Can Negatively Affect Your Life

Having a deceased indicator on your credit file can lead to unpleasant and stressful situations. It can cause mortgage denials and revocation of credit cards. You could even be denied employment or housing from entities who require background checks. 

While this situation can prove distressing and turn your life upside down, keep in mind that credit reporting errors can be corrected with the help of an experienced attorney. However, it’s not as straightforward as informing the credit bureau that you’re alive and that they should acknowledge your existence. The process could take months, and it’s advisable to seek help from a deceased credit reporting error attorney.

The good news is, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), if you have mistakenly been reported as deceased by Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact an experienced attorney who can guide you through the intricacies of deceased reporting errors and help you achieve a positive resolution in court.

Work With a Credit Reporting Attorney

While the steps to correct your information may seem easy, the process is more complex than it seems. If you’ve been mistakenly reported as deceased by a credit bureau, you should consult an attorney to discuss your legal options under the FCRA. 

At Raburn Kaufman, our attorneys leverage nearly 25 years in combined legal experience to provide our clients with high quality legal representation. Reach out to us today at 877-662-2455 to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our attorneys and let us assist you on the path to recovery. If we don’t win, you don’t pay!