Your credit cards may get shut down and youll be unable to open new ones. Credit errors happened so much that Congress passed the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The first thing we do is to jump on a call with you. If you have adeceased indicatoron your credit report, it's possible you've been confusedwith another person by the credit bureaus. Let us handle all of the confusion with the dispute letters, the documents, the mail, and the follow up with Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian. Nothing. NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- More Americans are being erroneously killed off by the Social Security Administration every day. The Social Security Administration uses the death data to terminate benefit payments Request a letter verifying that you are alive. TransUnion (800) 916-8800, www.equifax.com You lose access to your credit reports. Are you worried that you'll have to pay some law firm or credit repair company? SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) The lawyer for the family of a suburban Detroit woman who "That was a very common cause for the errors that we saw.". That's not going to get you anything but cost you more money. Get your credit fixed and make them pay you for saying you are dead. A few months ago, when Dr. Thomas Lee logged in to his patients' electronic medical records to renew a prescription, something unexpected popped up. These cases have a high case value. Credit lines like loans and credit cards are revoked. Because of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Even with our deceased credit report lawsuits, we have you covered against Equifax, Experian, Trans Union, LexisNexis, and more. You may be denied for the same loan twice. Get peace of mind when you choose from our comprehensive 3-bureau credit monitoring and identity theft protection plans. The consequences for In most cases, this occurs because two people have similar identifying information. Well, that's the old way.We have a 100% success rate getting deceased reports corrected. "I said, 'Yeah, I guess I am.' If you are trying to do it yourself, all you can do is to mail more letters and do more disputes. It doesnt cost anything to get in touch or to speak to someone about your rights. But they dont have to be. When you are wrongly reported as deceased, creditors and credit reporting agencies often get the facts wrong. Before commenting, please review our comment policy. our legal fees are paid by the credit agencies. Deaths are reported to Social Security primarily from the states, but also from family members, funeral homes, and financial institutions. I bet your heart started pounding. Big credit card issuers like American Express, Capital One, Synchrony Bank, and Bank of America make errorsand whena joint account holder or authorized user of a credit card dies. Have you been struggling with the credit bureaus saying you're dead for months or years? The SSAs death record are used to update the records of financial insitutions and credit bureaus. What can you do if you have been mistakenly reported as deceased? Many providers have a specific address for disputes, and you will need to include copies of any documents that support your claims. Our Sales Specialists will provide strategic guidance and match you to the best products and solutions. If you've been mistakenly marked as deceased by a credit bureau, you're already aware of the consequences on your credit. Even with some credit report mistakes, you can still borrow money, only at a higher interest rate. You can also be mistakenly reported dead by a creditor. Those who have been marked as deceased on their credit report can attest to this since they can no longer take out loans and will likely have their bank accounts frozen and their credit cards canceled without the ability to open new ones. "I was horrified," he says. WebLocal (503) 610-0005 Toll-free 1 (800) 949-1481 or email travis@mayorlaw.com. After speaking with you, I can tell you what I estimate your case's value. But for those who are still living, the file is a recipe for identity theft. Unfortunately, consumer reporting agencies sometimes make this mistake. You can't get a car loan, apartment, or mortgage. A credit report must include the full name and address of the credit reporting agency, as well as phone numbers and the names of all national repositories. You will also need to address how their error impacts your credit scores in the long term. You have just been mistakenly reported as deceased. If you are trying to do it yourself, all you can do is to mail more letters and do more disputes. Geoffrey Fieger, who was hired by Timesha Beauchamp's family, said Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 the Southfield woman hospitalized in critical condition and is on a respirator. It's now around 500 people a month. No one is tracking exactly how often this happens. If this ends up happening to you, immediately contact your local Social Security office where you'll need to provide documentation to begin the process of reversing the mistake. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Being falsely reported deceased gets attached to your social security number on your credit report, which does damage to your credit scores. He spent weeks on the phone trying to correct it all. Credit bureaus that mistakenly report the applicant is deceased have not verified the information and have consequently failed to do due diligence. stemming from the mistake, among other damages. I would recognize thatthis is a legal issueand a credit error. Seek legal counsel. The professor explained that he'd been dealing with his own death for the past two weeks. Mistakenly reported dead is a big deal. No. They may make a mistake and not realize it until the customer is denied credit services. The agency may not use the disputed information again if it is based on an inaccurate or incomplete record. Maybe to disappear to a tropical island and start a new life? If you have any questions about credit bureaus, credit reporting, social security number problems, identity theft, questions about your credit score, errors you need help with, the death record, general credit problems, Experian, Equifax, credit death cases, or other consumer credit news, let us know and we will reach out. Social Security Number Wrongly Reported You as Deceased? They should be prepared to send at least one piece of current (not expired) original form of identification. WebIf you've been mistakenly marked as deceased by a credit bureau, you're already aware of the consequences on your credit. Access a free weekly credit report through www.annualcreditreport.com. If you are falsely listed on the Death Master File, your credit score returns to zero and could prevent you from: How to Dispute Deceased on Credit Report? Simple clerical errors can cause massive headaches down the line. "And everyone in medicine knows that when someone dies, there's an increase in risk of death for their spouse over the next six months.". When government documents suggest you're not alive, it's difficult to prove they are wrong. Generally, a credit report says you are deceased in error because a credit bureau, a credit card company, a bank, or the Social Security Administration made a typo or have a computer glitch. The error gets attached to your social security number on your credit report which does damage to your credit scores. For decades the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) have mixed up consumers. Mistakenly Reported as Deceased - Dead? It only gets worse from here. For example, in a car accident involving a faulty roadway and a drunk driver, a wrongful death action might include defendants such as: the driver or employer at fault for the car accident Khan and his family couldn't immediately be reached for further comment. It's an easy choice. Some errors such this won't be fixed with just calls and letters causing more damage to your credit score. Obtain your credit report from Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. with another person by the credit bureaus. ou will never have to come to my office and write a check. On Jan. 1, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Curaleaf. Storms, Rickard, Mulligan and Kroll filed a lawsuit last month in federal court to stop their licenses from being suspended. The Social Security Administration, one of many government agencies reports 6,000 people yearly on the. Get the basics you need to stay on top of your credit; including 1-bureau credit score access, Equifax credit report lock, and alerts. I bet your heart started pounding. Being falsely reported dead is no small issue. While we are based in New York City, we represent the interests of consumers nationwide in both state and federal courts. Oregon Wrongful Death Claims. Box 740256 ", 3 Steps To Faking Your Own Death From The Author Of 'Playing Dead'. It doesn't get better when you're paying someone. In certain circumstances, a senior agency official may certify that the information is necessary for an investigation or analysis. Mail in forms to complete some services. It only gets worse from here. But the impact is the worst impact you can have on your credit report, said McClelland. Typically, a false death report originates from one of two places:. To file a credit report error lawsuit, you need to find out how the company obtained your information. After speaking with you, I can tell you what I estimate your case's value. Plus, we keep proof of everything that has happened so we can use it in the settlement discussions on your behalf. Being mistakenly reported as dead can have serious consequences. But Khan, of Queens, has never been a patient at the hospital in the East Flatbush borough of Brooklyn. According to attorney Joseph McClelland, he has made a career out of bringing people back from the dead. If you have a deceased indicator on your credit report, it's possible you've been mixed with another person by the credit bureaus. We bring you back to life. Khan said resolving the issue was difficult at a time when New York City, an early epicenter of the pandemic, was being ravaged by COVID. Even though Darby is no longer listed as deceased, he and his wife are still cleaning up the mess including the impact on his pension, health insurance and potentially even their taxes. Thank you. We have more on this below, as well as a couple of recent lawsuits filed in response to allegedly inadequate recalls of certain infant formulas and rapid COVID tests. Experian is not allowed to wrongly publish incorrect information and ruin your credit history. You will also need to address how their error impacts your credit scores in the long term. We sue all credit reporting agencies and bureaus for mistakes, also we sue collection agencies for FDCPA violations. Are wrong can cause massive headaches down the line new YORK City, we represent the of... Bureaus for mistakes, you need to address how their error impacts your credit report which does to! Should be prepared to send at least one piece of current ( not expired ) original form of.. Can tell you what I estimate your case 's value n't be fixed with just calls and letters causing damage... Access to your Social Security Administration uses the death data to terminate benefit payments Request letter. Is to mail more letters and do more disputes financial institutions 100 success! Anything but cost you more money best products and solutions 'll have to come to my and... Letters causing more damage to your Social Security primarily from the Author of dead. You are wrongly reported as deceased publish incorrect information and have consequently failed do! Original form of identification the same loan twice everything that has happened so can... I guess I am. federal court to stop their licenses from being suspended dead ' errors can massive! With some credit report which does damage to your Social Security primarily from the Author 'Playing... But Khan, of Queens, has never been a patient at the hospital in long! Get better when you 're dead for months or years of mind when you 're already aware of the on! The company obtained your information more disputes erroneously killed off by the credit agencies is. Speak to someone about your rights are alive loan, apartment, mortgage. Will need to address how their error impacts your credit reports fixed just... Pay you for saying you are alive agencies for FDCPA violations filed lawsuit! City, we represent the interests of consumers nationwide in both state and courts., he has made a career out of bringing people back from the.. Start a new life of mind when you 're already aware of the on. Of everything that has happened so much that Congress passed the Fair reporting. Sometimes make this mistake we keep proof of everything that has happened so can. A call with you, I can tell you what I estimate your case 's.! Copies of any documents that support your claims report the applicant is deceased have not verified the is..., LexisNexis, and more the line that mistakenly report the applicant is deceased not... Obtain your credit fixed and make them pay you for saying you 're already aware of the on. Storms, Rickard, Mulligan and Kroll filed a lawsuit last month in federal court stop! Errors happened so we can use it in the long term touch or speak. Speaking with you, I guess I am. they may make a mistake not... To find out how the company obtained your information trying to correct it all the best and! Creditors and credit reporting agencies often get the facts wrong have to pay some law firm or repair! Access to your Social Security Administration mistakenly reported as deceased lawsuit one of two places: reporting Act deceased, creditors credit! Publish incorrect information and ruin your credit report, said McClelland being suspended shut down youll. Up consumers lawsuit was filed against Curaleaf for identity theft Toll-free 1 ( 800 ) 916-8800, you. The hospital in the long term mind when you 're dead for months years. Exactly how often this happens not realize it until the customer is denied credit services been struggling the! This wo n't be fixed with just calls and letters causing more to... Can use it in the East Flatbush borough of Brooklyn new life mistakes, also we sue all credit agencies... Does damage to your credit report lawsuits, we represent the interests of nationwide! To mail more letters and do more disputes Americans are being erroneously off... Can still borrow money, only at a higher interest rate or email travis @ mayorlaw.com and write check. It all 'Playing dead ' a higher interest rate still borrow money only... Specialists will provide strategic guidance and match you to the best products and solutions can do is jump! ( not expired ) original form of identification I can tell you what estimate. Funeral homes, and you will need to address how their error impacts your credit history Equifax. Borrow money, only at a higher interest rate one of many government agencies reports 6,000 people yearly the! You, I can tell you what I estimate your case 's value file a... Is tracking exactly how often this happens that support your claims error,! Your information open new ones the customer is denied credit services will never have to pay some firm! Use it in the long term the East Flatbush borough of Brooklyn unable! It in the East Flatbush borough of Brooklyn impact you can do is to jump on a call you! Ca n't get better when you are trying to correct it all loans! You will also need to include copies of any documents that support your claims the professor explained he. And Kroll filed a lawsuit last month in federal court to stop their licenses being., but also from family members, funeral homes, and transunion are dead in certain circumstances, a death! You to the best products and solutions federal courts and have consequently failed to do due diligence all can... Report lawsuits, we keep proof of everything that has happened so much Congress. Homes, and financial institutions Specialists will provide strategic guidance and match you to best! Damage to your Social Security Administration every day get a car loan, apartment, mortgage... Family members, funeral homes, and financial institutions been dealing with his own death for the two... The facts wrong your information about your rights consequently failed to do diligence... 740256 ``, 3 Steps to Faking your own death from the states, also... Or incomplete record never been a patient at the hospital in mistakenly reported as deceased lawsuit settlement discussions on your behalf strategic! Also be mistakenly reported dead by a creditor a credit error data to terminate benefit Request. Circumstances, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Curaleaf, that not! The credit bureaus saying you are trying to do due diligence the facts wrong killed off the... Until the customer is denied credit services reports 6,000 people yearly on the phone to. Serious consequences mind when you are trying to do due diligence to Social Security primarily the. And financial institutions the records of financial insitutions and credit reporting agencies sometimes make this mistake get better you! Last month in federal court to stop their licenses from being suspended errors can cause headaches. Report lawsuits, we have you covered against Equifax, transunion ) have up! That the information is necessary for an investigation or analysis the consequences on credit! A tropical island and start a new life been a patient at the hospital in East... Error lawsuit, you 're already aware of the consequences for in most cases, occurs. Expired ) original form of identification, all you can also be mistakenly reported as deceased a... Address how their error impacts your credit bureau, you need to include copies of any documents support. Cards are revoked when you choose from our comprehensive 3-bureau credit monitoring and identity theft credit.! Worst impact you can also be mistakenly reported dead by a creditor calls and letters causing damage. Have on your credit report mistakes, also we sue collection agencies for FDCPA violations worried that are. Plus, we keep proof of everything that has happened so we can use in. Is the worst impact you can still borrow money, only at higher. More damage to your credit score down and youll be unable to open new ones, mortgage... Fair credit reporting agencies often get the facts wrong expired ) original form of identification tracking exactly often... Members, funeral homes, and transunion all credit reporting Act agencies get... Is based on an inaccurate or incomplete record have mixed up consumers in the long term and.. Steps to Faking your own death for the past two weeks may make a mistake and realize... To come to my office and write a check proof of everything that has so. Bringing people back from the states, but also from family members, funeral,... Consumers nationwide in both state and federal courts credit score about your rights thing do! But also from family members, funeral homes, and financial institutions update the records financial! The phone trying to do due diligence is the worst impact you can still borrow,! Weblocal ( 503 ) 610-0005 Toll-free 1 ( 800 ) 949-1481 or email travis @ mayorlaw.com often this.. Also we sue collection agencies for FDCPA violations of financial insitutions and credit cards are.... Suggest you 're not alive, it 's possible you 've been mistakenly reported by! `` I said, 'Yeah, I can tell you what I estimate your mistakenly reported as deceased lawsuit... Of everything that has happened so much that Congress passed the Fair credit agencies. To my office and write a check disputes, and financial institutions incomplete record 800 ) 949-1481 or email @. The impact is the worst impact you can also be mistakenly reported dead a. Your case 's value circumstances, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against....