| > | | | | loved ones obituary is to take care of financial |
| Identity theft even applies to the dead. Write | | | | and credit issues before the obituary is published. |
| your obituaries with identity theft in mind because | | | | Close accounts, and notify all creditors, banks and |
| the deceased’s identity is an irresistible | | | | credit reporting agencies of the deceased’s |
| target for thieves. There are tips that you can | | | | passing. The next best thing is to limit the |
| follow to avoid obituary identity theft. Identity | | | | information on the obituary so that there |
| theft even applies to the dead. Write your | | | | isn’t a resume of details that list every |
| obituaries with identity theft in mind because the | | | | occupation, award and detail of the |
| deceased’s identity is an irresistible target | | | | person’s life. You can find out more about |
| for thieves. There are tips that you can follow | | | | writing an obituary at ObituariesHelp.org |
| to avoid identity theft. | | | | A checklist of what to do to avoid identity theft |
| Victims of identity theft | | | | from obituaries |
| Identity theft of the dead is a deplorable topic to | | | | If you do all of these things you will ensure that |
| have to discuss, but it must be talked about to | | | | your loved one will not be a victim of identity |
| help those who may be victims of identity theft | | | | theft after he or she has passed away. It is |
| in the future. The problem is compounded by | | | | even better if you do all of this before you publish |
| the fact that the family is grieving for the dead | | | | the obituary: |
| and being conned at the same time. It is made | | | | - Close accounts and credit cards. |
| even worse when the deceased had joint | | | | - Notify Equifax, Trans Union and Experian of the |
| accounts with a partner who is still living because | | | | deceased’s passing. |
| she or he ends up having to pay dearly for the | | | | - Contact Social Security and have them |
| thief’s crimes. The saddest part is that the | | | | deactivate the social security number of the |
| thief often gets away with the crime before he | | | | deceased.What to do if you suspect identity theft |
| or she is caught. | | | | If you’ve already published the obituary |
| Identity theft from obituaries | | | | and you notice unusual activity on the |
| Con artists will scan the obituaries in their city or | | | | deceased’s accounts, you can assume |
| town and watch for valuable information that | | | | there is some sort of identity theft and so you |
| they can use to access bank accounts and | | | | must do the following: |
| personal credit. Long obituaries that give many | | | | - Notify the police immediately. |
| details give these scam artists more valuable | | | | - Contact your bank and freeze accounts. |
| information that they can use to steal the identity | | | | - Contact credit-reporting agencies. The police |
| of the deceased. The deceased doesn’t | | | | and credit reporting agencies will have more |
| have to worry about their credit rating, but the | | | | suggestions for you to keep you safe. |
| family is caused undue emotional stress. | | | | Writing obituaries need not be a daunting task, |
| Sometimes the thieves want to steal the identity | | | | especially if you have all your financial affairs in |
| to avoid immigration, legal or financial problems of | | | | order. If you’ve taken all the steps to |
| their own. | | | | avoid identity theft from obituaries, you can rest |
| How you can avoid identity theft | | | | assured that your obituary can be as long or as |
| The best way to avoid identity theft from your | | | | short as you would like it to be. |