How to Update an Incorrect Death on a Credit Bureau Report

Because credit bureaus handle the credit reports of millions of people in the United States, they sometimes make mistakes. Unfortunately, one of these mistakes is reporting an incorrect death on someone's credit report. Fortunately, there are legal procedures you can take to have the information corrected, thanks to the Federal Trade Commission's Fair Credit Reporting Act. When making updates, check with all three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) to make sure they are all reporting the right information.

Instructions

1

Request a copy of your credit report from the credit bureaus. You can obtain one free credit report from each of them per year and an additional report if you are declined credit for any reason. Obtain your credit reports by going directly to the credit bureau websites or from the annualcreditreport.com website. When you order your credit report, either by mail or online, you will be given a credit report file number. The file number is necessary if you plan on contacting the credit bureaus to discuss your credit report.

2

Write a letter to all three credit bureaus including copies of your credit report. Highlight the error that needs to be updated along with any proof validating your claim. Mail the information to the credit bureaus via certified mail. Certified mail insures your letter gets to your destination and someone physically has to sign for the letter. The green signature card is then mailed back to you to keep for your records.

3

Mark your calendar, allowing the credit bureaus 45 days to fix the error. After 45 days, the credit bureaus will either mail you an updated copy of your credit report or you may request another copy of your credit report reflecting the changes you requested.