When a family members dies, the last thing you want to think about is their credit rating. But freezing their credit now may save you many hassles later.
We've already told you how to protect yourself from identity thieves, but Credit Sesame explains that recently deceased people also need protection:
Once someone dies, information like their full name and birthdate likely appear in an obituary, giving scammers key information about that person's identity. It can also take six months or longer for the credit bureaus to catch up, during which time an imposter might open new credit cards or other accounts without being detected.
You won't be liable for the charges, but bill collectors may contact you attempting to reach your family member. That's annoying and an unwelcome intrusion for a grieving family. If you have time before they pass away, freezing their credit prevents the problem. Otherwise, notify the three major credit agencies as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Identity Thieves from Impersonating a Dead Relative | Credit Sesame
Photo by Paul Stocker.