It sounds like something out of a movie, but for one student, it was a real-life nightmare. While applying for a new apartment, a student was shocked to find out that the application had been denied for one bizarre reason: his credit report said he was dead. And as strange as that sounds, this kind of error is not as rare as you might think.
How can someone be marked as dead on a credit report?
Sometimes, all it takes is a small mistake. In this case, it was a bank that submitted a “death notification” to a credit bureau—about the wrong person. The student had closed a bank account, and the bank confused him with someone else who had the same name but a different middle initial.
That one error triggered a chain reaction that led to:
- A credit report that said, “This consumer is deceased. No further activity expected.”
- The removal of all credit history and credit score
- A complete block from getting an apartment, car loan, or even a new phone plan
When the student tried to contact the credit bureau, he was told the bureau could not speak to him directly because he was “deceased.” Even though he was very much alive and talking on the phone, policy did not allow him to update anything unless he proved he was not dead.
What proof do you need to show you are not dead?
To fix the error, the student had to go through a long list of steps, including:
- Sending a notarized letter
- Submitting a copy of his driver’s license
- Taking a selfie holding his passport
- Getting a signed note from a doctor confirming he is alive
It took six weeks to correct the mistake.
During that time, the student had to tell multiple people in person that he was not a ghost. He could not move into a new apartment, could not apply for a loan, and could not switch phone providers. Every system he tried to access was locked because his file showed him as “deceased.”
How common is this kind of mistake?
It may sound extreme, but others shared similar stories in response.
- One person said her husband was flagged as deceased by the Social Security office. It took six years to fully correct it.
- Another said his mother was denied Medicare because the system said she was not a U.S. citizen—despite being one for years.
- Some reported getting IRS refund checks years later after errors like this were finally corrected.
Most of these cases involved paperwork errors, outdated systems, or mismatched names. But all of them took time, energy, and often legal help to fix.
What to do if your credit report says you are deceased?
If this ever happens to you—or someone you know—there are some immediate steps to take:
- Request copies of your credit reports from all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- File a dispute with the bureau that marked you as deceased
- Submit proof of identity and documentation to show you are alive
- Contact your bank or financial institution to correct the original error
- Keep a record of every communication
It may take weeks—or in rare cases, even longer—but staying persistent is key.
Can you sue if you are wrongly declared dead?
There have been lawsuits in the past over similar situations. For example, in the case of Hinkel & Noon v. Universal Credit Services, a group of people who were wrongly marked as deceased received a small settlement—about $225,000.
Legal experts say the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects your right to accurate information. If a credit bureau refuses to fix an error, or delays without reason, you may be able to take legal action. But many people end up settling quietly because the process can be long and complicated.
Why you should check your credit reports often
This student’s story has a clear takeaway: check your credit reports regularly. You might not expect to see a message that says you are dead—but errors happen.
And when they do, they can seriously affect your life.
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