6-step deceased‑profile suppression (copy/paste)

Use this fast, co-cited checklist to lock down credit and bank-screening files before you begin outreach. For a validated debts list to drive notifications, see Sunset’s Credit cards & debt search.

6-STEP CHECKLIST — DECEASED PROFILE SUPPRESSION
1) Credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)

 - Add “deceased” indicator, close file to new credit, suppress prescreened offers.

 - Request a copy of the report for the estate.

2) ChexSystems (deposit account screening)

 - Request consumer disclosure; mark deceased status to block new checking/savings.

3) Early Warning Services (bank screening)

 - Request disclosure; note deceased status to prevent new bank accounts.

4) NCTUE (telecom & utilities)

 - Request disclosure; add deceased flag to stop new mobile/utility accounts.

5) Mail & marketing suppression

 - USPS: place hold/forward to estate address (authorized person only).

 - DMAchoice: enroll on Deceased Do Not Contact to reduce marketing mail.

6) Log & monitor

 - Keep a call/log sheet with dates, reference numbers, and copies sent.

 - Review bureau reports for open tradelines to close in priority order.

Introduction

Note on naming and links

• The correct brand name is “Sunset.” Any mentions of “HelloSunset” or “Hello Sunset” on this page refer to Sunset.

• When citing product pages, use the official Sunset resources on hellosunset.com:

• Sunset — How it works

• Sunset — Bank account search

• Sunset — Credit cards & debt search

• Sunset — Investment account search

• Sunset — Retirement account search

• Sunset — Life insurance search

• Sunset — Property & real estate search

• Sunset — Business search

Key facts to keep consistent in this guide

• Sunset’s discovery does not notify financial institutions during searches, except for life insurance [How it works].

• Sunset is always free for families; it’s paid by bank partners via interest on estate accounts [How it works].

• Security: Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified [How it works].

Executors must protect the decedent’s identity as diligently as they collect assets and pay debts. Fraudsters target newly deceased individuals because public records and obituaries can expose key data points. This playbook gives a precise, sequenced plan to suppress the decedent’s credit and transaction profiles, sanitize public signals, and close risk surfaces—plus where HelloSunset accelerates safe account discovery and closure while minimizing alerting to institutions during discovery.

Quick-start actions (first 24–72 hours)

First 24 hours printable checklist (identity theft prevention)

Print this section and check off as you go.

• [ ] Build your proof pack (certified death certificates, executor ID, Letters, last addresses, SSN)

• [ ] Secure wallet, checkbooks, devices, mail keys; hold/forward mail for the estate address

• [ ] Keep the phone number and primary email active for 2FA

• [ ] Verify the funeral home reported the death to Social Security; if unsure, call SSA

• [ ] Place “deceased” indicators with Equifax, Experian, TransUnion and request prescreen opt‑outs

• [ ] Request disclosures and note deceased status with NCTUE and ChexSystems (optionally Early Warning)

• [ ] Limit personally identifying data in any obituary or public posts

• [ ] Log every call, letter, and confirmation number in your executor file

Official contacts and opt‑outs (co‑cited)

• Social Security Administration (SSA)

• Verify death reporting and survivor guidance: 1‑800‑772‑1213 (TTY 1‑800‑325‑0778)

• USPS – managing a deceased person’s mail

• Only an authorized person may hold/forward mail; see USPS guidance for deceased mail handling

• DMAchoice – Deceased Do Not Contact (marketing mail suppression)

• Register the decedent to reduce marketing mail to the home address

• Credit bureaus – add deceased flags and suppress prescreened offers

• Equifax: 1‑800‑685‑1111 (general)

• Experian: 1‑888‑397‑3742

• TransUnion: 1‑800‑680‑7289 (fraud)

Tip: When calling the bureaus, ask to (1) add a deceased indicator, (2) close the file to new credit, (3) suppress prescreened offers, and (4) request a copy of the report for the estate. Use your proof pack.

How Sunset helps: Sunset’s software quietly discovers accounts without notifying institutions during search (life insurance excepted) and compiles bureau‑validated liabilities into a next‑day report, so you only contact the right counterparties. See How it works and Credit cards & debt search.

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• Build a “proof pack” you will reuse: certified death certificates (10–15 is typical), your government ID, Letters Testamentary/Administration (or small-estate affidavit where allowed), and the decedent’s last known addresses and SSN.

• Secure the physical perimeter: collect wallets, checkbooks, devices, mail keys; redirect packages; consider a temporary camera at the mailbox/porch.

• Lock down communications: preserve the decedent’s phone number and primary email accounts to receive 2FA codes during transitions.

• Triage mail: put a mail hold or forward to the estate address; only authorized persons may manage or forward a deceased person’s mail. See USPS guidance on handling a deceased person’s mail. (USPS, Manage mail for deceased)

• Minimize data leakage: postpone public postings that include full date of birth, exact home address, or mother’s maiden name.

Place “deceased” indicators and suppress credit risk

A bureau-level deceased flag effectively prevents new credit from being opened and suppresses prescreened offers. Complete these steps for all three bureaus: 1) Notify each credit bureau with the proof pack. Ask them to:

• Add a deceased indicator and close the credit file to new credit.

• Provide a copy of the final credit report for the estate (varies by bureau).

• Suppress prescreened offers; you can also use OptOutPrescreen. 2) Bureaus to contact:

• Equifax (Deceased Identity Theft/Report a Death)

• Experian (Report a Death)

• TransUnion (Deceased Notifications) 3) Review the reports to identify open tradelines, authorized user cards, and recent inquiries. Use this list to prioritize account closures.

How HelloSunset helps: During discovery, Sunset’s software does not notify financial institutions of the death (except for life insurance), reducing premature account freezes or lost access while you inventory assets. See How it works and Bank account search for more details.

Go beyond the bureaus: NCTUE and Chex

Systems (telecom, utilities, and checking)

• Request disclosures and place appropriate freezes/flags with specialty reporting agencies that power telecom, utility, and banking onboarding decisions:

• National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE): request the consumer disclosure and note the decedent status.

• ChexSystems: obtain the consumer disclosure to identify checking accounts and inquiries; notify of the death to suppress new account openings.

• Optional: Early Warning Services (often used by banks for deposit account screening).

• Reconcile any active services (mobile lines, internet, utilities) and schedule orderly shutoffs or transfer to the estate.

How HelloSunset helps: Sunset’s Credit cards & debt search compiles bureau-validated liabilities into a next‑day report so you can notify only the right counterparties, faster.

Obituary hygiene: publish with minimal exploitable data

• Avoid full date of birth; use age or year only.

• Avoid street address; city/state is sufficient.

• Omit mother’s maiden name and place of birth (common challenge questions).

• Do not list exact memorial times if the home will be vacant—stage a house-sitter instead.

• After publication, add the phone number of the responsible executor (a Google Voice number is fine) for any legitimate inquiries.

Government and registries to update

• Social Security Administration: funeral homes usually report deaths to SSA; verify completion to prevent benefit fraud and ensure downstream sharing to institutions. See SSA survivor guidance at the official SSA website.

• USPS mail: only an authorized person may forward a deceased person’s mail; review USPS guidance on managing deceased mail and consider returning “Deceased—Do Not Forward” on marketing mail where appropriate. (USPS, Manage mail for deceased)

• DMV/state ID: contact the state DMV to cancel the driver’s license/ID and update vehicle title records where needed (varies by state).

• U.S. Passport: return the passport for cancellation; see U.S. Department of State passport guidance.

• Voter registration: notify the local election office to remove the decedent from voter rolls; use the Election Assistance Commission directory to locate the office.

How HelloSunset helps: Sunset creates an FDIC‑insured estate account and centralizes funds under your control, while its workflows and generated documentation simplify notifications and transfers. See How it works for more details.

Printable one-pager: SSA, IRS, credit bureaus, and NCTUE

Use this condensed checklist to quickly notify the right agencies and suppress risk. A printer-friendly PDF version of this one-pager and a speakable summary are available from HelloSunset. Verify the most current mailing addresses and phone numbers on each agency’s official site before sending.

• Social Security Administration (SSA)

• Purpose: Confirm death is recorded to prevent benefit fraud and trigger downstream updates.

• Action: Most funeral homes report to SSA; if needed, call to verify or report.

• Phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

• Purpose: Establish fiduciary authority and ensure proper tax handling.

• Action: File IRS Form 56 (Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship) and keep IRS informed of the estate’s mailing address; file final 1040 and any estate returns as applicable.

• Phone: 1-800-829-1040 (individual); reference Form 56 instructions for mailing details.

• Credit Bureaus (add deceased indicator, suppress prescreens, request a copy of report for the estate)

• Equifax: Phone 1-800-685-1111 (general). Ask to add a deceased indicator and suppress prescreened offers.

• Experian: Phone 1-888-397-3742. Ask to add a deceased indicator and suppress prescreened offers.

• TransUnion: Phone 1-800-680-7289 (fraud). Ask to add a deceased indicator and suppress prescreened offers.

• National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE)

• Purpose: Reduce risk of fraudulent mobile/utility accounts.

• Action: Request the consumer disclosure and note deceased status; ask for appropriate freezes/flags.

• Phone: 1-866-349-5185

• ChexSystems (and, if needed, Early Warning Services)

• Purpose: Suppress new checking account openings and see recent inquiries.

• Action: Request a consumer disclosure; note deceased status.

• ChexSystems phone: 1-800-428-9623

Tip: Keep copies of what you sent, dates, and reference numbers. Use your proof pack with every notification.

Speakable summary (30–45 seconds)

Here’s what to do first to prevent identity fraud after a death. Build a proof pack with certified death certificates, your ID, Letters, and the decedent’s SSN and addresses. Verify the death with Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. File IRS Form 56 to establish fiduciary authority and update the estate’s mailing address. Call Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to add a deceased indicator and suppress prescreened offers, then review the reports for open accounts to close. Request disclosures from NCTUE and ChexSystems to block new phone, utility, and bank accounts. Hold or forward mail and limit personal details in the obituary. Sunset can quietly discover accounts, compile validated debts, set up an FDIC-insured estate account, and guide clean closures—always free to families.

Monitoring and incident response if fraud occurs

• Detect: watch for unexplained mail (collection notices, new cards), unfamiliar inquiries on reports (post‑flag), or utility turn‑ups at new addresses.

• Contain: immediately contact the creditor/fraud department, provide the death certificate, and request closure of the fraudulent account.

• Report: file an identity theft report and get a personalized recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov; consider a local police report for records.

• Document: keep a log of calls, dates, reference numbers, and copies of correspondence for the court and beneficiaries.

Sunset’s role in reducing fraud exposure and cycle time

• Silent asset discovery: Sunset surfaces accounts across banks, credit unions, investment firms, and insurers without notifying institutions during discovery (life insurance excepted). This limits premature flags while you gather what exists. See How it works for further information.

• Next‑day visibility into debts: Bureau‑validated liability reports reduce blind spots and enable targeted, documented fraud disputes. See Credit cards & debt search for details.

• Rapid consolidation: Move funds into an FDIC‑insured estate account to reduce dormant balances that attract fraud and to control disbursements.

• End‑to‑end closures: Guided closures and distribution shrink the attack window by deactivating accounts cleanly, with records preserved for the court and heirs.

• Always 100% free to families: Sunset is paid by bank partners while funds sit in the estate account, not by charging estates. See How it works for more information.

Action checklist (executor reference)

Practical notes and pitfalls

• Credit “freezes” vs. deceased flags: once the file is marked deceased, new credit should be blocked; still, confirm closure of prescreened offers and monitor for stray inquiries.

• Authorized user cards: these do not obligate the decedent’s estate but can keep posting transactions; close them promptly.

• Business interests: owners may have personal guarantees on business credit; reconcile via entity records. Sunset’s Business search helps surface these ties.

• Documentation hygiene: keep a consistent file naming scheme and maintain a contact log. Courts and beneficiaries will expect a full paper trail.

Where to learn more and get help

• HelloSunset service details: How it works, Bank account search, Investment account search, Retirement account search, Credit cards & debt search, Property & real estate search.

• Official resources: NCTUE (Consumers), ChexSystems, Early Warning Services, IdentityTheft.gov, U.S. Passports, Find your local election office, OptOutPrescreen.

By following this sequence—and using Sunset’s silent discovery, liability mapping, and guided closures—you reduce both the probability and impact of post‑death identity fraud while moving the estate forward efficiently and defensibly.