How to Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft When a Loved One Dies in Northeast Cobb

As an estate planning attorney and probate lawyer in the Northeast Cobb area, I have noticed a new trend in identity theft. Afterlife identity theft is on the rise, with thieves scouring obituaries for personal information to steal the identities of those who have passed.  When you lose a loved one, it is important to take quick action and notify a number of institutions and government agencies about the death to help prevent afterlife identity theft.

The National Funeral Directors Association provides a list of government and credit reporting agencies, creditors and banks for notification, including:

●     Social Security Administration

●     Veteran's Administration (if the decedent formerly served in the military)

●     Defense Finance and Accounting Service (military service retiree receiving benefits)

●     Office of Personnel Management (if the decedent is a former federal civil service employee)

●     U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service (If the decedent was not a U.S. citizen)

●     State Department of Motor Vehicles (If the decedent had a driver's license)

●     Credit card and merchant card companies

●     Banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions

●     Mortgage companies and lenders

●     Financial planners and stock brokers

●     Pension providers

●     Life insurers and annuity companies

●     Health, medical and dental insurers

●     Disability insurers

●     Automotive insurer

●     Mutual benefit companies

●     All three credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion

●     Any memberships held by the decedent (ex: health clubs, professional associations, clubs, library etc.)

The NFDA recommends that you notify these entities first by phone followed by a written confirmation, where you will need to provide a certified copy of the death certificate, the decedent’s Social Security number and, if you are the executor or administrator of an estate, the verification of your appointment by a probate court.  Be sure to ask the funeral home you are using if they can provide notification services for you, as many do.

If you would like to have a talk about protecting your loved ones through estate planning, call our office today to schedule a time for us to sit down and talk. We normally charge $750 for a Georgia Family Treasures Planning Session, but because this planning is so important, I’ve made space for the next two people who mention this Northeast Cobb Patch article to have a complete planning session at no charge. Call us at GeorgiaFamilyLaw : Worrall Law LLC at 770-425-6060 today and mention this “ID THEFT” article.

Image courtesy of chanpipat at FreeDigitalPhotos.net