Pulling The Credit Report Of A Deceased Family Member

Q. How can I get a copy of a deceased family member’s credit report? I want to ensure that there are no unpaid debts. Can you also tell me if I should inform the credit bureaus of his death?

Answer: Let us take up your questions one by one. You must first obtain a death certificate and letters testamentary before you can obtain the credit report of your deceased family member. Take copies of these documents and then contact the CRA. The will ask you questions like the Social Security number et al so as to ensure your identity. When this is done, they will give you an address where you have to mail these documents. Don’t forget to add the mailing address where you would like to receive the credit report.

TransUnion recommends that you should get the credit report of the deceased family member updated by doing the needful. Mail the death certificate of the deceased person to all the creditors with whom he did business. Contact the Social Security Administration and ensure that their records are updated.  This agency will inform the credit bureaus.

Experian has the following advise. The death of the consumer is notified by the lender to the CRA. Spouses can access the report of the deceased by providing the death certificate. However, if you are a representative of a heir, you have to produce documents in support of your claim.

Equifax requires only the death certificate.