Failed Credit Check Credit Bureau Reports Me as Deceased?

N

nicole baker

Member
I recently applied for a credit product and got denied due to a “failed credit check.” When I looked deeper into it, I found out that one of the major credit bureaus (I think it was Experian or Equifax) has me flagged as deceased. Yep—dead. I’m very much alive, still working, paying bills, and obviously applying for things… so I have no idea how this happened or how to fix it.

From what I’ve read online, this kind of error can seriously mess with your ability to get credit, loans, or even pass background checks. Some people say it’s a result of a clerical error, like someone with a similar name passing away, or a misreported Social Security Number.

Has anyone else dealt with this? How long did it take to fix? And what steps did you have to go through to prove you’re alive?

I’ve already submitted a dispute online, but I’ve heard that might not be enough. Should I be contacting them by phone, sending in ID docs, or something else entirely?
 
Yep happened to me with Equifax last year. Apparently someone with a similar name and SSN died and their death got linked to my file. It’s a nightmare. Took me 3 months, certified letters, and multiple calls to clear it up. Get ready to be very very persistent.
 
You definitely need to contact them by phone and follow up with physical mail. Online disputes are easy to ignore. Include a copy of your ID, SS card, and a utility bill to prove you’re alive. Also freeze your credit just in case something else goes sideways.
 
I can’t believe i’m saying this but my cousin had this happen. He only found out when he was denied a student loan. Took him half a year to fix. He even had to go in person to the SSA office to prove he was breathing
 
This is why it's so important to check your credit reports regularly. You can get one free report per bureau per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. It might not prevent this nonsense but at least you'll catch it sooner.
 
Definitely call them and don’t just rely on the website. When I worked in banking we had a guy flagged as deceased and it took forever to get it corrected. Letters, IDs, and multiple follow ups were the only way.
 
Can we take a moment to appreciate the absurdity of proving you're alive in 2025 with fax machines and snail mail? Like, I can FaceTime u but a credit bureau needs a notarized utility bill??
 
This happened to my dad. The error came from the Social Security Administration though, and it cascaded down to all three bureaus. He had to go to a field office and get a resurrection letter. No joke it’s literally called that.
 
This is actually super serious. Being marked as deceased shuts down access to everything: loans, credit cards, even renewing a lease. You’re right to escalate. File complaints with CFPB and your state attorney general if you hit a wall.
 
Start a paper trail ASAP. Every call, every letter...log it all. I had to send a signed affidavit and a notarized copy of my ID just to get Experian to look into it. The online form was totally ignored.
 
Did the lender tell you which bureau flagged you as deceased? You could pull all three reports and look for any deceased notations. Might be worth doing that first to isolate the issue.
 
Mine was flagged after a divorce when my ex passed away. Somehow her death got tagged to my account. Took almost four months and multiple escalations. File a complaint with the CFPB....it helped in my case.
 
Highly recommend sending a physical letter certified mail with return receipt. Include ID, proof of address, and explicitly state you’re disputing the deceased notation. It makes them legally responsible to respond within 30 days.
 
It’s a pain but absolutely escalate. Call, write, email, and follow up with the CFPB. Bureaucracies don’t move unless you make noise. Be the squeaky wheel.
 
Yes phone them. The online system sucks. I had a split file issue and only a human could merge the records. It took 45 days and felt like medieval bureaucracy.
 
Honestly i’d be more shocked if a credit bureau did not screw something up this badly. Hope you get it sorted. This kinda thing is why i don’t trust auto pay anymore.
 
Happened to a guy we were onboarding. Background check failed due to deceased status. It was a pain but his lawyer got involved and it cleared up within 3 weeks. Just don’t give up.
 
I’m not surprised anymore. Credit bureaus have zero accountability unless you go nuclear. File a complaint with the CFPB AND send a physical letter to the CEO’s office. That’s what finally got them to listen to me.
 
This might actually warrant getting a consumer protection attorney involved. If this mistake costs you a job or housing you could have a real case. Don’t let them get away with this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top