Do you believe in life after death? Identity thieves do. Ever wonder if someone can be “you” after you have died? It can and has happened!

Tips for your loved ones to rest in peace:
1. Don’t give too many details in the obituary. Cunning thieves love to know where you live to find gems in your trash. For example, your insurance company’s EOB (explanation of benefits) may contain the social security number and health care information of your dearly departed.
2. Get multiple copies of the death certificate as you will be sending it to a number of places to prove your loved one has lost their life.
3. Contact DMV to cancel the driver’s license. If someone steals the driver’s license, they cannot change the address if it has been cancelled.
4. Contact Social Security Administration. Provide a copy of the death certificate, upon request to verify death. This prevents the possibility of social security number theft.
5. Notify all credit issuers to cancel accounts, such as Penny’s, Sears, and Kmart that a death has occurred. Be prepared to send a copy of the death certificate. This will ensure no one attempts to use their charge card by changing the billing address.
6. Send a copy of the death certificate to each credit bureau so no one can establish credit in the name of the deceased. See below for addresses and phone numbers.
7. Shred all documents containing identification such as social security numbers and/or healthcare numbers to reduce the risk of misplacement and theft.
8. Run a credit check on your dearly departed within the year following death to make sure no one is fraudulently using their identity.

Transunion
POBox 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834

Equifax office of Fraud Assistance
PO Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348

Experian
PO Box 9530
Allen TX 75013

Socail Secutity Adminsitration
800-772-1213
TTY number 800-325-0778
The loss of a loved one is traumatic. Having someone abscond with their identity only fuels the pain of that loss. Don’t allow yourself or your dearly departed to become victimized by these unscrupulous thieves!

www.theidentityadvocate.com