Losing a family member is difficult enough without discovering that someone has stolen their identity
Unfortunately, identity theft does not necessarily end when a person dies.
Identity thieves may deliberately target deceased individuals because fraudulent activity can remain unnoticed for months. A family may be focused on grieving and administering an estate while a criminal uses the deceased person's information to open credit accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, or seek government benefits.
This form of identity theft is sometimes referred to as ghosting.
For California families dealing with identity theft after a loved one's death, recognizing the warning signs and creating a record of the fraud can be critical.
GHOSTING — WHEN IDENTITY THEFT CONTINUES AFTER DEATH
Identity thieves look for opportunities where fraudulent activity may escape immediate detection.
A deceased person's identity can present exactly that opportunity.
The attached source explains that criminals may target recently deceased individuals because activity involving their identities can go unnoticed for a considerable period.
Unlike a living consumer who regularly reviews bank statements, credit card activity, and credit reports, a deceased individual is no longer monitoring financial information for suspicious transactions.
That delay can give identity thieves time to misuse personal information before surviving relatives discover what happened.
OBITUARIES CAN REVEAL INFORMATION TO IDENTITY THIEVES
Identity thieves may actively search for information concerning people who have recently died.
The source identifies online obituaries and the Social Security Death Index as places thieves may search when looking for identities to exploit.
Obituaries naturally contain personal information about the deceased and their families.
That information can potentially become more valuable when combined with identifying information obtained from other sources.
Families should therefore remain alert to unexpected financial activity following a relative's death.
A STOLEN IDENTITY CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO NEW CREDIT
One form of deceased identity theft involves opening new credit accounts.
A thief who obtains sufficient personal information may attempt to apply for credit using the deceased person's identity.
Because the victim cannot personally discover or report the fraudulent application, the account may remain undetected until correspondence begins arriving or another family member becomes aware of the activity.
Unexpected bills addressed to a deceased relative should not automatically be dismissed as administrative mistakes.
They may indicate that someone is continuing to use the person's identity.
FRAUDULENT TAX RETURNS CAN BE ANOTHER WARNING SIGN
The source also identifies fraudulent tax returns as one potential use of a deceased person's stolen identity. What Can I Do if My Deceased Re…
Families administering a deceased person's affairs may discover unexpected tax notices or other correspondence concerning activity they do not recognize.
A tax notice addressed to someone who has died can therefore warrant closer attention.
It may be evidence that the deceased person's identifying information is being used fraudulently.
GOVERNMENT BENEFITS CAN ALSO BECOME A TARGET
Identity theft involving deceased individuals may extend to government benefits.
According to the attached source, thieves may use stolen identities in attempts to obtain government benefits. What Can I Do if My Deceased Re…
When suspected identity theft involves federal benefits such as Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits, the source advises reporting the matter directly to the appropriate Office of Inspector General.
Families should preserve documentation showing the suspicious activity and any reports made concerning the fraud.
DEBT COLLECTION CALLS MAY REVEAL THE FRAUD
Sometimes the first indication of deceased identity theft arrives through a debt collector.
The source identifies several warning signs families should recognize:
Debt collection communications concerning unfamiliar obligations
Tax notices addressed to the deceased
New bills arriving in the deceased person's name
These communications can indicate that accounts or obligations have appeared after the person's death.
Families receiving unexpected financial correspondence should preserve it rather than immediately discarding it.
The paperwork may become important evidence of when fraudulent activity began and which companies were involved.
REPORT THE IDENTITY THEFT TO THE FTC
When a family believes someone is using a deceased relative's identity, the source identifies reporting the theft to the Federal Trade Commission as an important step.
Preserve copies of the report and related documentation.
Identity theft involving a deceased relative can require communicating with multiple organizations, so maintaining an organized file can make subsequent disputes easier to document.
A POLICE REPORT CAN SUPPORT FRAUD DISPUTES
The source also recommends reporting the suspected identity theft to law enforcement.
Although identity theft can be difficult to investigate and prosecute, the source emphasizes that a police report can become important when fraudulent accounts must later be challenged.
Families should retain copies of police reports along with the FTC report and other supporting records.
Those documents may become useful when communicating with creditors, financial institutions, and other companies concerning fraudulent activity.
PLACE A DECEASED ALERT WITH THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES
The attached source advises contacting the three major credit reporting agencies on behalf of the deceased relative and requesting a deceased alert.
The purpose is to indicate that the individual has died and therefore cannot legitimately apply for new credit.
According to the source, families should be prepared to provide documentation such as a death certificate and proof establishing their authority or relationship when communicating with the agencies.
This can become an important step in preventing additional fraudulent credit activity.
CONTACT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Banks and other financial institutions should also be notified of the person's death.
The source explains that surviving representatives may need to arrange for accounts to be closed or transferred to the estate, depending on the circumstances.
If fraudulent activity has already affected existing accounts — or entirely new accounts have been opened — additional disputes may be necessary.
The FTC identity theft report and police report can become particularly useful when documenting why those transactions or accounts are being challenged.
KEEP THE GHOSTING PAPER TRAIL
Deceased identity theft can involve several organizations at once.
Families should consider preserving:
Unexpected bills addressed to the deceased
Debt collection letters
Tax notices
Records concerning unfamiliar accounts
FTC identity theft documentation
Police reports
Communications concerning federal benefits fraud
Death certificates submitted to relevant organizations
Correspondence with credit reporting agencies
Records concerning deceased alerts
Bank and financial institution communications
Disputes involving fraudulent accounts or transactions
Keeping these documents together can create a clearer timeline of the identity theft and the steps taken after it was discovered.
R23 LAW'S EXPERT LEGAL SERVICES FOR DECEASED IDENTITY THEFT MATTERS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA
R23 Law's California Consumer Protection Attorneys represent consumers and families dealing with identity theft and related financial and credit problems throughout California.
Deceased identity theft can create an especially difficult situation because surviving family members may discover fraudulent activity while they are already administering an estate and grieving their loss.
R23 Law handles consumer protection matters involving identity theft, fraudulent financial activity, disputed accounts, and related credit reporting problems.
PUTTING A GHOST IDENTITY TO REST
Death does not necessarily prevent a stolen identity from being misused.
Identity thieves may rely on the assumption that nobody is watching the deceased person's financial activity. That can give fraudulent accounts, tax activity, or benefit claims time to develop before anyone notices.
Unexpected bills, debt collection communications, and tax notices deserve attention.
Report suspected identity theft. Preserve the documentation. Notify relevant financial institutions and credit reporting agencies. Address fraudulent accounts when they appear.
Families should not have to watch a loved one's identity become someone else's financial tool.
Contact R23 Law Today
Discovering identity theft while grieving a family member can create another layer of financial and administrative stress. When a deceased relative's identity is used for fraudulent accounts, financial activity, or other consumer fraud, R23 Law's California Consumer Protection Attorneys can evaluate the circumstances and applicable consumer protection issues.
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Email: info@R23Law.com
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