How To Credit cards can be canceled after someone passes away.
It can be difficult to work through a person's financial accounts after they have passed away.Cancelling credit cards can be simplified by following a series of basic steps.Pick up multiple copies of the deceased's death certificate and credit card statements.Ask the credit bureaus to put a freeze on the deceased's credit.Go through the official process of closing the accounts after contacting the credit card companies.
Step 1: As soon as possible, take action.
When a person dies, the banks won't automatically reach out.It is possible that the account will be charged late fees or interest if you wait to cancel the cards.Identity theft and fraud can be made worse by keeping the cards active.
Step 2: Request more than one copy of the death certificate.
You will need to send at least one copy to each of the credit card companies formally used by the deceased.Before releasing credit report copies, the credit bureaus will request official copies.The funeral director can give you extra copies of the death certificate.
Step 3: All cards from everyone, including authorized users.
Use the account information included on the card's statement to get a list of all possible users.Get in touch with these people and ask them to give you the card.If you trust them to destroy the card, you can request that.If you know that other people have the card numbers on file, ask them to destroy those documents and not charge the account in the future.
Step 4: For joint users, the account can stay active.
The credit card won't need to be canceled if the account is in your name as well as the deceased.The card can be taken over by you.You will be held responsible for any debts on the card.If you are just an authorized user, the account will need to be canceled.
Step 5: If you are not a joint user, don't use the cards.
The credit of a person who dies becomes invalid.If you continue to charge items on the card, you are committing credit card fraud and could face legal charges.Don't put funeral expenses on these cards.Talk to a lawyer or funeral advisor about how to pay without credit.
Step 6: Ask if the credit companies flag the dead person's account.
You can reach out to the credit bureaus by phone and mail.Ask them to flag the deceased's credit account.It will help to prevent identity fraud if you don't issue credit.
Step 7: You can get a copy of the deceased person's credit report.
You can contact credit reporting agencies by phone or email.Ask about their policies regarding credit reports.You will most likely be asked to fax proof of your position as financial executor or executrix of the deceased's accounts.Depending on the agency, it may take weeks to receive the report copies.
Step 8: Make note of any open accounts with the credit report.
Look over the reports after you received them.Disregard any accounts that have been paid off.Circle those accounts that still show active and carry balances.You will need to contact these credit card companies.
Step 9: It is a good idea to keep an eye on the deceased's financial mail for a year.
Canceling all active credit accounts is not enough.The postal service should forward all of the deceased's mail to you.Look for financial notices that state that additional credit accounts have been opened.
Step 10: Call the credit card company.
If you want to reach out to each company, use the customer service numbers listed on the credit statement.To be connected with a representative who can handle dead accounts, ask.Ask them to close the account.You should ask where you can get a copy of the death certificate.Ask the card representative to pull up the account on their computer when you are talking.If they see recurring charges, you should ask them to stop them.The time is right to request refunds for late fees and charges.Documentation will make most companies happy to do this.
Step 11: Follow up with an official letter from the card company.
Send a letter requesting cancellation to the official card company.The address is listed on the credit card statement.The credit card account number, the deceased's name, address, Social Security number and date of birth should be included in your letter.The company will know who to reach out to when the cancellation is complete if you include your name and full contact information.
Step 12: You can pay any cards off.
Check to see if the credit cards have balances.Request that the card companies send you proof of your claim.Once you have these documents, you can use the estate assets to pay off debt from the oldest to the newest.Unless you are financially responsible for that particular credit card account, never use your personal funds to pay off estate debts.