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The Daily Insight Hub

Can I check the credit report of a deceased person?

Author

Andrew Campbell

Updated on January 22, 2026

How do I obtain a credit report for a deceased person? The spouse or executor of the estate may request the deceased person’s credit report by mailing a request to each of the credit reporting companies. A copy of the death certificate or letters testamentary.

Does Social Security report death to credit bureaus?

By lenders: When you pass away, your spouse or the executor of your estate should alert your creditors of your death. By the Social Security Administration (SSA): The SSA periodically sends a list of the newly deceased to the three major consumer credit reporting agencies: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.

Do a wife have to pay her deceased husband’s credit card debt?

The good news is that in most cases, you are not personally liable for your deceased spouse’s debts. Both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) confirm that family members usually do not have to pay the debt of deceased relatives using their personal assets.

Can you use a dead persons credit?

When someone dies, his or her credit cards are no longer valid. You should never use them or let anyone else use them, even for legitimate expenses of the deceased, such as a funeral or their final expenses.

What happens to your Social Security number after you die?

The Social Security Administration () does not reappoint a Social Security number to someone else after the original owner’s death. The SSA estimates that there are enough new number combinations to last well into the next SEVERAL generations.

Are Social Security numbers reused after someone dies?

A: No. We do not reassign a Social Security number (SSN) after the number holder’s death.

Who is responsible for a deceased spouse’s credit card debt?

You’re the deceased person’s spouse and state law requires that you pay for the debt, like certain healthcare expenses paid for with a credit card. You were legally responsible for administering the estate and didn’t comply with certain state probate laws.

What happens to your bank account after the death of your spouse?

Knowing how your bank accounts are handled in the event of the death of you or your spouse will help ensure that you leave your loved ones with some financial peace of mind. 1 Bankrate (May 15, 2017). Web page: Ready for romance?

What happens to the property of a deceased spouse?

Each spouse owns a one-half interest in marital property in a community property state. Further, a deceased spouse can give away his share of the community property however he chooses. The owner can dispose of any separate property however they wish.

What to do with a deceased credit card?

As a court-certified representative or surviving spouse, you can request a copy of the deceased’s credit report, which lists all the credit accounts issued in the dead person’s name. “Be sure to go through all of the person’s various cabinets, drawers and folders, seeking out invoices and statements,” says Siciliano.