Identity protection
Why notify the credit bureaus after a death
A deceased person's identity is a prime target for fraud. Until the credit bureaus are notified, criminals can open new credit cards, take out loans, or file fake tax returns in your loved one's name, and the family is often the one left to clean it up.
Prevent fraud and identity theft
When Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion flag a file as deceased, the credit report is locked so no new accounts can be opened by creditors who rely on the bureaus for verification and underwriting. The bureaus also share the death notice with creditors who have an open file on the deceased to encourage them to freeze accounts to prevent fraud.
Notifying one bureau does not notify the others. Each maintains its own records, so a fraudster blocked at one can still open credit through another. To fully close the door, all three have to be notified.
$1
billion in unclaimed bank accounts
96%
of estates have unclaimed assets
$0
Sunset is 100% free for all users.
Surprising Finds
"I found all of my grandma’s accounts in just a couple days, including one we didn’t even know about. I cried when I realized how much work it was going to take, but Sunset made it quick and easy."
Easy Process
"Step by step made it easy to get things done without feeling buried."
Stress Free
"Simple and stress free from start to finish. Even the life insurance claim."
Step by Step
"I did things when I had time. First the bank account, then the car title a few weeks later. It felt manageable."
Guided the Whole Way
"They made a hard process simple and stress free. It felt like they were walking me through step by step."
Peace of Mind
"Nothing happened unless I said so. Knowing my dad’s retirement money was safe until I was ready gave me peace of mind."
Clear Next Steps
"Clear steps, no stress. I always knew what came next, even for life insurance and car titles."
Felt Cared For
"I felt cared for the whole way. Even when we had to handle my dad’s small business account."
Felt Protected
"I felt safe the whole time. They kept an eye on things for fraud so I could focus on selling the house and being with my kids."
Less Scary
"They made the hard parts less scary. I just answered a few questions and felt guided."
Made It Doable
"Made something complicated, like probate papers, feel doable and not so scary."
How Sunset notifies the credit bureaus
We've made this as simple as possible. Fill out the form below with your loved one's information, and Sunset generates a formal death-notification letter to each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and mails them on your behalf.
The credit bureaus don't offer an electronic or API-based way to report a death, a mailed letter is the official channel they accept for a deceased notice. Sunset handles that step for you, the right way, so the notice actually gets processed.
Tell us about your loved one
Enter a few details — name, date of death, and the documentation the bureaus require. It takes just a few minutes.
We prepare the letters & mail them
Sunset generates a properly formatted notice for each bureau, with everything they need to flag the file as deceased and lock the credit report. The letters go out by mail to all three bureaus, so you don't have to track down addresses or mail anything yourself.
Credit Bureau Notification FAQs
How do I notify the credit bureaus of a death?
Send each bureau — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — a written death notice with a copy of the death certificate and proof you're authorized to act on the deceased's behalf. Sunset prepares and mails a formal notice to all three for you, free.
Do I need to notify all three credit bureaus?
Yes. Each bureau keeps a separate credit file, so notifying one does not notify the others. To fully protect your loved one's identity, all three must receive their own notice. Sunset handles all three at once.
Can I report a death to the credit bureaus online?
The credit bureaus don't offer an online or API-based way to report a death — a mailed letter is the official channel. Sunset lets you submit the details online and then mails the notices to all three bureaus for you.
How do I get a deceased person's credit report?
As a spouse or legally authorized representative, you can request a copy from each bureau by mail, along with proof of death and your authority to act. Reviewing it helps you find open accounts and watch for fraud. Sunset users get the list of open debts for free.
What documents do the credit bureaus need to report a death?
Each bureau generally requires the death certificate, and the deceased's details (full name, address, Social Security number, and date of death).
Why should I notify the credit bureaus after someone dies?
It places a deceased notice on the credit file and locks it, so no new credit can be opened in their name — the single most effective step to prevent identity theft.
Is there a cost to notify the credit bureaus through Sunset?
No. Notifying the credit bureaus through Sunset is completely free, like everything Sunset does for families settling an estate.
How do I notify Experian of a death?
Mail a death notice to Experian at P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013, including the death certificate and your authorization to act on the deceased's behalf.
How do I notify Equifax of a death?
Mail a death notice to Equifax at P.O. Box 105139, Atlanta, GA 30348-5139, with the death certificate and proof you're authorized to act for the deceased.
How do I notify TransUnion of a death?
Mail a death notice to TransUnion at P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, including the death certificate and your authorization.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly will I see results?
5 to 14 days.
We'll email you as soon as your requested searches are complete, and you can log in to review and close any discovered accounts when you're ready.
Who can use Sunset?
Any family member, executor, administrator or personal representative responsible for managing a deceased person’s assets can use our software tool. We support asset search and probate in all 50 states and every county in the U.S.
Am I responsible for their debts?
No, the deceased was solely responsible for their debts. If a loan was backed by a physical asset, such as a home or vehicle, you have options to transfer or payoff from estate proceeds.
For a loan that was jointly held, the responsibility remains with the other person on the account, often a spouse. Sunset automatically identifies if a debt has a living responsible party, and clearly flags it.
What is an estate bank account? Who controls it?
An estate bank account is a standard bank account in the estate’s name where all funds are consolidated. You can use it to pay expenses, view a full transaction history, and eventually distribute inheritance to beneficiaries.
With one click Sunset can set up an estate bank account.
You control the estate bank account. You can pay bills, taxes, and distribute the funds to heirs.
All estate bank accounts set up by Sunset are FDIC insured and protected from fraud and identity theft.
How can I pay estate expenses?
With your estate bank account you can use to pay expenses to settle your loved ones affairs. You can also reimburse yourself for expenses you may have paid out of pocket before the bank account was set up.
This includes paying for funeral expenses, accountants and attorneys if needed (most families do not need these services when working with us), realtor fees when selling property, money going towards settling debts, money spent fixing up a property before selling it, etc.
What security measures does Sunset have?
Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified, and we hold ourselves to the highest standards in how we build our software and store data so that you’re always protected. We have in-depth fraud and identity verification measures on the deceased and the beneficiaries, and we run background checks on all employees.
What about probate documents?
You can use our software to generate and sometimes file probate documents in every county nationwide.
Online notarization is also available through Sunset.
If your case is unusually complex, or disputed, we recommend hiring experienced probate counsel.
Can Sunset help my probate attorney?
Yes. Attorneys regularly recommend Sunset to their clients. Before your attorney can guide you on the right probate path, they need a complete picture of the estate's assets and debts. Sunset generates a comprehensive Estate Asset Inventory with account numbers, balances, and more, giving your attorney exactly what they need to move forward quickly.
Will financial institution be notified of a Sunset search?
No, we do not notify any financial institutions of the death when performing our searches, except for in the case of life insurance.
Our process combines document review, data integrations, and indirect verification with financial institutions. Families usually discover most accounts within 1 day, although some bank account confirmations take up to two weeks.
Financial institutions are only notified after a request for closure and transfer has been made by you.
How much does Sunset cost?
Sunset Free is free for families settling an estate. Sunset Pro, our paid product for probate attorneys, licensed fiduciaries, trustees, and aftercare specialists, starts at $500 per asset search, with monthly subscription plans available for Solo Practitioners, Small Firms, and Large Firms.
For families, Sunset never charges a fee or takes a percentage of the estate. All family-facing tools are free, including search and discovery, probate document generation, account closure, asset transfer, and estate bank account setup. No upfront fees. No subscriptions. No deductions from the inheritance.
Our revenue from the family side comes from bank partners. They pay us a referral fee when assets transfer to receiving institutions, and we share in the interest while funds sit in the estate bank account. Sunset Pro subscriptions from professionals are how we sustain the rest of the product. All of the deceased's assets go to the beneficiaries and heirs.
