Most people dealing with a bereavement know they need to notify banks, utility companies, and government departments. Far fewer realise they also need to contact the UK’s three credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each of them holds a separate credit file on the person who has died, and unless you tell them, that file stays active indefinitely.
This matters because an active credit file can be exploited by fraudsters, who use deceased people’s details to open credit accounts, take out loans, or commit other forms of identity fraud. The practice has a name: ghosting. Notifying all three agencies flags the credit file as deceased and triggers extra checks on any applications made in that person’s name.
The process is straightforward, though it does require some documentation. This guide explains what to do with each agency, what you’ll need to send, and what else you can do to protect against fraud. If you are working through all the organisations you need to notify, our who do I need to notify? checklist tool is a good starting point.
Why you need to notify credit reference agencies
When someone dies, their credit file does not automatically close. The agencies have no way of knowing someone has died unless they are told – either by a family member or executor, or when a lender reports a debt as deceased on the system. That lag can last weeks, months, or longer.
During that window, fraudsters who obtain the deceased’s personal details – a name, date of birth, and address are often enough – can attempt to open new credit accounts. These applications are checked against credit files, and an active file belonging to someone who is recently deceased will pass initial checks that a flagged file would not. This type of fraud is sometimes called “ghosting” or “deceased identity fraud.”
The consequences fall on the estate and on family members who may later deal with unexpected debt notifications or disputes. Executors dealing with the estate may also find it harder to obtain a clear picture of outstanding liabilities if the credit file has not been updated.
The three UK credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – all hold separate data. They do not automatically share updates with each other, so you need to notify all three individually. Banks and lenders report to different agencies, and there is no guarantee that notifying one will trigger an update at the others.
You can also use the Deceased Preference Service (free, operated by MiExact Ltd) to register the death and have the information shared more broadly with credit reference agencies and financial institutions. However, this does not replace direct notification – it works alongside it.
The three UK credit reference agencies
The UK has three main credit reference agencies, each of which holds independent credit data on individuals:
- Experian – the UK’s largest credit reference agency, based in Nottingham
- Equifax – holds separate data from Experian; their UK consumer team is based in Leicester
- TransUnion – formerly Callcredit; holds independent credit data and also offers specialist services for probate professionals
All three must be notified separately. There is no central notification system that covers all three at once.
How to notify Experian
Experian’s process for third-party access to a deceased person’s credit file is handled through their consumer data access team. You will need to write to them with supporting documents – this is currently a postal or written process rather than an online form.
What to send:
- A copy of the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, confirming your authority to deal with the estate (if you do not yet have probate, contact Experian first for guidance on how to proceed)
- A photocopy of your own identity document – passport, full driving licence, or birth certificate
- Two documents dated within the last three months confirming your current address (for example, a bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement, or Council Tax bill)
- A covering letter stating the deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, and last known address, and requesting that the credit file be flagged as deceased
Where to send it:
Experian Consumer Help Service
Experian Ltd
PO Box 8000
Nottingham
NG80 7WF
Experian will place a deceased marker on the credit file, which will alert lenders running credit checks in that person’s name. You can also request a copy of the deceased’s credit report through the same process – this can be useful for identifying any outstanding credit accounts you may not already be aware of.
If you have questions before writing, Experian’s consumer enquiries contact page is at ins.experian.co.uk/contact.
Process last verified May 2026.
How to notify Equifax
Equifax UK’s consumer team is based in Leicester and handles deceased notifications by post. The process is similar to Experian’s – you write to them with a copy of the death certificate and proof of your authority to act.
What to send:
- A copy of the death certificate
- Proof of your authority – Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration, or (if you are the deceased’s spouse and probate is not yet granted) confirmation of your relationship
- A copy of your own identification – driving licence, passport, or birth certificate
- A brief covering letter stating the deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, and last known address, and asking for a deceased marker to be added to the file
Where to send it:
Equifax Ltd
Customer Service Centre
PO Box 10036
Leicester
LE3 4FS
You can also contact Equifax UK through their online member centre at equifax.co.uk if you have an existing account, though postal notification with physical documents is the most reliable method for deceased notifications.
Once Equifax adds a deceased marker, any lender or organisation running a credit check in the deceased’s name will see an alert. As with Experian, the executor can also request a copy of the credit report to identify outstanding creditors – this is worth doing if the estate’s liabilities are unclear.
Process last verified May 2026.
How to notify TransUnion
TransUnion UK (formerly known as Callcredit) is the third main credit reference agency and holds independent credit data. Their consumer services team can be reached by post or through their consumer enquiry form.
What to send:
- A copy of the death certificate
- Proof of your authority to act on behalf of the estate (Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration, or equivalent)
- A copy of your own identification document
- A covering letter stating the deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, and last known address, and asking for a deceased flag to be placed on the credit file
Where to send it:
TransUnion Consumer Services Team
PO Box 647
Unit 4
Hull
HU9 9QZ
You can also contact TransUnion through their consumer enquiry form at transunion.co.uk/consumer/consumer-enquiry-form.
TransUnion also offers a Deceased Credit File Report service for probate professionals, which provides a consolidated view of outstanding creditors from the deceased’s credit file. This is a paid service aimed at solicitors and probate practitioners, but it can be a useful tool if the estate is complex and liabilities are difficult to map.
Process last verified May 2026.
The Deceased Preference Service
In addition to notifying each agency directly, you can register the death with the Deceased Preference Service – a free service operated by MiExact Ltd. Registration takes one form and is free of charge.
The service shares the details with credit reference agencies and financial institutions to help detect fraudulent activity on existing accounts and flag new credit applications made in the deceased’s name. It also removes the person from direct mail lists, which can spare the family from receiving unsolicited correspondence.
You can register online at deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk or by calling 0800 068 4433 during office hours. Anyone can register – family members, friends, or professional representatives such as solicitors.
This service complements, but does not replace, direct notification to all three agencies.
What documents you will need
The table below summarises the documents typically required. Requirements may vary slightly between agencies, so check before sending.
| Document | Experian | Equifax | TransUnion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death certificate (copy) | Required | Required | Required |
| Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration | Required | Required (or proof of relationship if spouse) | Required |
| Your own photo ID (passport, driving licence, or birth certificate) | Required | Required | Required |
| Two recent proof of address documents | Required | Not always required | Not always required |
| Covering letter with deceased’s details | Required | Required | Required |
Do not send original documents. Send certified copies where possible, or clearly labelled photocopies. Keep copies of everything you send.
How long it takes
Timelines vary by agency and by how promptly documents are processed. As a general guide:
- Experian – typically 2 to 4 weeks from receipt of documents
- Equifax – similar timescale; some cases processed within 30 days
- TransUnion – broadly in line with the others; their consumer team will confirm receipt
You will not usually receive an updated copy of the credit report as confirmation. The agencies will typically acknowledge receipt and confirm the flag has been added, but do not proactively send out amended reports. If you want a copy of the credit report – for example, to identify creditors – request it explicitly in your covering letter at the same time. Executors are entitled to request this.
Things to watch out for
Joint credit accounts: If the deceased held any joint credit accounts or joint loans, the surviving account holder may continue to appear as fully liable. Notifying credit reference agencies about the death does not remove this liability. You will need to contact each lender separately to discuss the joint account.
Existing fraud markers: If the deceased was a victim of identity fraud before they died, their credit file may already contain fraud markers or disputed entries. As executor, you can request these are investigated and removed if they are inaccurate. Write to each agency’s consumer team with a copy of the Grant of Probate and an explanation of the dispute.
Agencies only flag – they don’t close accounts: Adding a deceased marker tells lenders to apply extra scrutiny to applications using the deceased’s details. It does not close individual credit accounts. You still need to contact each lender directly to formally close accounts and settle any outstanding balances.
Confirmation of receipt: The agencies confirm receipt of documents rather than confirming the flag has been applied. If you have not heard back within six weeks, follow up in writing.
Dealing with debt: If you find outstanding credit balances when reviewing the deceased’s credit file, our guide to what happens to credit card debt when someone dies explains how the estate handles it. In most cases, personal debt is settled from the estate – family members are not personally liable unless they were joint account holders.
Summary
Notifying the three credit reference agencies is a step that often gets missed during bereavement administration. The process is not complicated, but it does require written correspondence with each agency individually.
The key steps:
- Write to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion separately with a copy of the death certificate, proof of your authority to act, and your own identification
- Request that a deceased marker is added to the credit file
- Consider requesting a copy of the credit report at the same time – this can help identify outstanding creditors
- Register the death with the Deceased Preference Service for broader coverage
For related tasks, see our guides to notifying HMRC and notifying the DWP – both of which are also important steps in dealing with a person’s financial affairs after death.