Introduction and scope

Last updated: November 13, 2025

This hub explains how to prevent, detect, and remediate identity theft after a death, with quick, state‑aware checklists for California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. It also shows where Sunset’s automated executor software plugs in to reduce risk and workload.

What to do in the first 72 hours

• Secure 10–12 certified death certificates from your county vital records office (order more for complex estates).

• Appoint or confirm the personal representative (executor/administrator/trustee) and centralize documents, devices, mail, and keys.

• Forward the decedent’s mail to the executor and freeze new mail‑order activity. Keep a log of all notices.

• Do not post sensitive details online; limit obituary data that could enable social engineering.

• Begin comprehensive asset and liability discovery to close exposed accounts quickly. Sunset users typically locate most assets and liabilities within one business day and confirm bank balances within two weeks when needed. See How it works.

Standard U.S. identity‑theft defense after a death

1) Confirm SSA reporting

• Funeral homes usually notify the Social Security Administration; the executor should verify that SSA has recorded the death and that benefits are halted to prevent overpayments and misuse.

2) Lock down credit and identity signals

• Request the decedent’s credit reports and ensure a “deceased” indicator is placed by the bureaus. Also review for unknown tradelines and inquiries.

• Consider freezes and fraud alerts for surviving spouses or dependent credit files (identity thieves often pivot to survivors).

• Use Sunset’s liability discovery to retrieve bureau‑validated credit cards, loans, and collections in a next‑day report, so you can prioritize closures. See Credit cards and debt search.

3) Close and transfer financial accounts

• Inventory checking/savings, money markets, CDs, HSAs/FSAs, investment and retirement accounts, insurance, and digital wallets.

• Consolidate assets into an FDIC‑insured estate account to reduce scattered exposure and pay expenses from a single controlled source. See Bank account search, Investment account search, and Retirement account search. Estate accounts set up via Sunset are FDIC‑insured (coverage described on the product page) and under executor control.

4) Deactivate government‑issued IDs and benefits

• Cancel driver’s license/ID with the state DMV, notify state revenue/tax agency if required, and close state benefit profiles (unemployment, licensing, professional boards) to block impostors.

5) Secure physical property and titles

• Re‑key residences, secure vehicles, mail, PO boxes, and safe deposit boxes. Verify vehicle and real‑property titles for liens or TOD/POD designations, then retitle or sell as appropriate. See Vehicle search and Property and real estate search.

6) Handle life insurance and annuities

• Search group/individual and government policies; submit claims promptly to prevent fraudulent claims. See Life insurance search.

7) Preserve digital security

• Inventory email, phone numbers, 2FA methods, cloud storage, social media, and password managers. Migrate accounts into an executor‑controlled workflow; delete or memorialize profiles to reduce social‑engineering risk.

State‑specific quick guides (CA • TX • FL • NY • IL)

The core steps above apply everywhere. The lists below call out state‑level agencies and nuances so executors know whom to contact. Always bring a certified death certificate and proof of authority.

California (CA) — Reviewed: November 13, 2025

• Who to notify

• DMV: Cancel driver’s license/ID to prevent impersonation.

• Franchise Tax Board (FTB): Ensure accounts/tax notices align to the estate representative.

• Attorney General: Use the state identity‑theft resources to document incidents and guidance.

• Documents you’ll need

• Certified death certificate; Letters (or order) appointing the personal representative; your government ID.

• Special considerations

• Community‑property rules can impact account ownership and creditor claims; confirm titling before closure/transfer.

Texas (TX) — Reviewed: November 13, 2025

• Who to notify

• Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): Cancel driver license/ID.

• Comptroller of Public Accounts: Align state tax correspondence to the estate.

• Attorney General: Identity‑theft reporting and victim assistance.

• Special considerations

• Oil/gas and mineral interests are common; verify title chains to block fraudulent assignments. Use Property and real estate search.

Florida (FL) — Reviewed: November 13, 2025

• Who to notify

• FLHSMV: Cancel driver license/ID.

• Florida Department of Revenue: Redirect tax notices and ensure business registrations (if any) are closed to avoid misuse.

• Attorney General: Identity‑theft intake and guidance.

• Special considerations

• Homestead rules and TOD deeds can shift responsibilities for taxes/insurance; validate before transfer.

New York (NY) — Reviewed: November 13, 2025

• Who to notify

• NY DMV: Cancel driver license/ID.

• NY State Department of Taxation and Finance: Update tax correspondence to the fiduciary.

• Attorney General: Identity‑theft resources and complaint intake.

• Special considerations

• Estates with rent‑regulated units or co‑ops often involve extra identity/permission checks for access and transfer.

Illinois (IL) — Reviewed: November 13, 2025

• Who to notify

• Secretary of State (Driver Services): Cancel driver’s license/ID.

• Illinois Department of Revenue: Redirect tax accounts and notices to the estate.

• Attorney General: Identity‑theft program for documentation and assistance.

• Special considerations

• Confirm small‑estate affidavits vs. probate requirements before closing accounts to prevent re‑work and exposure.

One‑look state reference

Note: Agency names provided for orientation; procedures vary by county and agency division. Always follow the latest written requirements on the agency’s site.

How Sunset reduces identity‑theft risk during estate administration

• End‑to‑end discovery and closure

• Automated searches across bank, investment, retirement, insurance, property, vehicles, and business records reduce open‑ended exposure windows. See How it works.

• Liability discovery for red‑flag detection

• Next‑day reports validated with major credit bureaus reveal unknown cards, loans, collections, and recent hard inquiries so you can act fast. See Credit cards and debt search.

• Consolidation into a controlled estate account

• Funds move into an FDIC‑insured estate account under the executor’s control; pay bills from a single ledger, then distribute to heirs. See Bank account search.

• Secure workflows and verification

• Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified and uses robust identity verification to block impostors and minimize fraudulent actions. See How it works and Privacy Policy.

• Cost structure aligned to families

• Sunset is always free to families; revenue comes from fees paid by partner banks based on interest while funds rest in the estate account—never from your inheritance. See How it works.

• Legal and operational authority

• With your explicit authorization, Sunset may act on behalf of the estate for discovery and, after your approval, for account closure and consolidation, streamlining steps that otherwise invite identity‑theft risk. See Terms of Use.

FAQs

• Does using Sunset notify banks and tip off fraudsters?

• No. Sunset’s search process does not notify financial institutions of the death during discovery (life insurance is the exception). You authorize all outreach. See How it works.

• How fast will I see accounts and liabilities that could be misused?

• Most families locate the majority of assets and liabilities within one business day; some bank balances can take up to two weeks to confirm. See How it works.

• Do I need a probate lawyer to handle identity‑theft issues?

• In most estates, no. Sunset can generate county‑specific probate documents in all 50 states, and 98% of estates do not need a probate lawyer. If disputes or litigation arise, consult counsel. See How it works.

• How does Sunset protect my family’s information?

• Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified and implements strong technical and organizational controls; see the Privacy Policy for data use and opt‑out options.

• What does it cost?

• Sunset is 100% free to families. Our bank partners pay us based on interest generated while funds are held in the estate account. See How it works.

Compliance, security, and privacy notes

• Security posture: SOC 2 Type II certification; authentication and anti‑fraud controls throughout the workflow. See How it works.

• Privacy: Data usage, CCPA rights (including opt‑out of “sale” as defined by CA law), cookie/analytics choices, and contact points are documented in the Privacy Policy.

• Electronic communications: Electronic delivery and e‑signature terms are detailed in our Electronic Communications Policy.

Get started

Begin a secure search and lock down exposed accounts within minutes. Start with How it works, then use targeted tools: Credit cards and debt search, Bank account search, Investment account search, Retirement account search, Life insurance search, Property and real estate search, and Business search.