Even if the deceased on credit report designation error only impacts one old account, you can contest the false information that resulted in your death report by officially alerting the credit bureau(s) that the information is false. Again, you may request a free copy of your credit report from each credit bureau and review and identify any reporting errors before filing a dispute (see above for further information on how to do this).

To file a dispute, you have to adhere to the credit bureau(s)' online guidelines. If only one credit agency has reported your death, all you have to do is file a dispute with that agency (whether it be for all of your accounts or just one).

Why Using Certified Mail to File Your Dispute Is the Best Option

Consumers may be able to use an online dispute platform provided by credit agencies and other CRAs to contest information in a credit report. However, if you utilize an online platform on a frequent basis, you lose the ability to submit a lawsuit. Giving up the ability to litigate at the outset of the dispute resolution process is typically not in your best interest. Consequently, we strongly suggest disputing false death designations—as well as any other inaccuracy—by means of a certified letter. Additionally, when you send the dispute package via certified mail, you keep possession of the documentation attesting to the fact that you delivered it and that the credit bureau(s) received it.

Provide marked-up copies of the supporting documents together with a certified letter.

When pursuing a dispute, it is sometimes necessary to send a dispute letter detailing every inaccurate, misleading, or false item on your credit report. This might apply to a label on your entire credit record when it comes to fake deceased indications. Be clear, concise, and precise.

Send copies of the supporting documentation, such as your credit report with the disputed sections highlighted and stated in the letter. Request an investigation and update of the disputed entries and/or indicators. If you have not heard back from the credit agency within 30 days of receiving your certified letter, contact Consumer Attorneys.

A death certificate gives rise to legal proceedings.
Notably, if the credit agency or other CRA reports you as deceased, you may still be entitled to sue them even after they fix the error. For instance, correcting the error might not have prevented you from suffering harm (such as losing out on a home, auto loan, or job opportunity) or from having the error reported to other companies. Therefore, CRAs are not absolved of accountability or culpability just because they change their records in response to your written dispute.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides direct contact information on its website for customers who want to dispute problems with credit bureaus.