Could Adding Personal Information on a Headstone Lead to Identity Theft? 

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As far back as 3000 B.C., headstones, or grave markers, have served as permanent, enduring memorials to honor our loved ones who have passed away. A final gesture of love and respect, a promise that their memory will endure through time and generations.

And because the point of headstones is to commemorate and remember, these monuments traditionally bear personal information–the deceased person's name, birth and death dates, and perhaps a brief epitaph or other personal details that were important to that person. And as the digital age continues to evolve, there are ever-increasing beautiful options to add even more personal touches to headstones.

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The Rise of Digital Memorials

In recent years, there has been a notable shift towards digitizing aspects of our lives, including how we remember and memorialize those who have passed away. Digital memorials, online obituaries, and virtual grave sites have become increasingly popular, providing a space for friends and family to share memories and condolences in a paperless form that won’t get buried with the old yearbooks in the basement. The tech has also extended to physical headstones, with laser-etched photographs, solar gravesite lighting, and products like the QR code plaques available through Our Tributes that link to additional information about the deceased.

The heartfelt intent behind every addition to a headstone is to honor the departed and ensure that their life and the things that made them unique will be remembered and celebrated. The potential risks associated with sharing personal information are the last thing we want to focus on when we’re grieving, but identity theft is an ongoing problem that causes some concern. If you’re looking into digital online memorials, you may have some questions about safety.

Striking a Balance

We’re not going to stop using headstones, and we should never feel stifled in our efforts to honor a loved one and mourn them properly. Digital memorials have many benefits. They allow family and friends to share personal memories, journal entries, life events, traditions, and interactive content such as videos and high-resolution photos without the risk of damage from fire, water, or negligence. There are photos and memorabilia that we all wish we had access to, but unless they’re digitized and shared, those precious items might stay locked up in someone’s attic instead of being treasured and enjoyed.

It’s unfortunate that some people take advantage of situations when we are vulnerable. Still, there are simple things we can do to strike a balance between honoring the memory of the deceased and protecting the privacy and security of their personal information. Being aware and using responsible companies and products can significantly reduce the risk of theft or other issues. 

Identity Theft Risks

The first step to protecting the identity of a deceased loved one, and their family and friends is to be aware of what information could be used maliciously. Thieves steal information daily from social media accounts, skimmed online credit card transactions, fuel pumps, bank statements, tax documents, public wifi usage, data breaches, and impersonation schemes. They’re searching for personal details– full names, birthdates, and even photographs–that can be used to apply for credit, open bank accounts, or engage in other forms of identity fraud.

The truth is that we all have personal information floating around in the world in various accessible forms. So, putting someone’s name and birthdate on a headstone doesn’t reveal anything new. We should still be cautious, but with the correct information and proactive planning, you can feel at ease when creating beautiful memorials for your loved ones. 

Mitigating the Risks

For those who wish to include additional information on a headstone or a digital memorial, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks of identity theft:

• Public: As you weigh which information to include on a headstone or memorial, remember that once these details are published or created, they will become available to the public. Make sure that you only include pictures and content that you don’t mind others seeing or reading. And even more importantly, use memorial companies and products that include safety measures. Some companies work hard to make your memorials significantly less public. For example, each Our Tributes plaque has a unique page link. The site does not offer an option to search through all of the memorial pages that have been created. Each page is only accessible by scanning the QR code or visiting the link. This means that you greatly reduce the likelihood of someone finding your loved one's personal information - unless they scan the QR code or someone has shared the link with them. Features like these will help you feel more safe to record and share. 

• Limit the Information: The details included in a public memorial should be carefully considered and worded. Remember that thieves are looking to combine the basic details of someone’s life with certain specific information, like a maiden name, and we may unknowingly give someone the exact combination of facts they need to be fraudulent. Consider tactics such as using only the first names of surviving family members in the obituary, not using any maiden names, and limiting details about achievements or life events such as military service. You could talk about their branch of service without including details of their specific unit. These important details can be preserved in private family files, but you may keep certain specifics from the public.

• Use Privacy Settings: When creating an online memorial or incorporating digital elements, ensure that privacy settings are in place to restrict access to authorized individuals. In the Our Tributes accounts, you can lock and unlock the profile to control who and when people can leave pictures and tributes. And if someone leaves a message that is inappropriate, offensive, or has information that is too personal, you can delete it. 
• Educate Family Members: Make sure that surviving family members know the potential risks of displaying personal information and which details they might want to avoid in their memories and tributes. 
• Be Proactive: Securing your loved one’s financial and personal affairs as soon as possible will reduce the risk that someone can use their information fraudulently. Just be aware that this will need to be done by the spouse of the deceased or executor of the estate. Here is a short list of essential tasks with more detailed information HERE.

• Death Certificates: Financial entities may request a death certificate to close out accounts like credit cards or bank accounts. You may also need one for claims with life insurance companies. It’s advised to request 10 to 20 extra copies. 
• Banks & Financial Institutions: Notify all financial institutions where the deceased had an account. Let them know about your loved one’s passing so they can secure all accounts, close individual accounts, and remove their name from joint accounts. They can also assist you in setting up a joint holder who can safely monitor financial activity. Remember to notify mortgage companies, loan companies, credit card companies, and investment firms. 
• DMV: Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in the resident state of your loved one and cancel their driver’s license.
• SSA: Many funeral homes will contact the Social Security Administration for you, but make sure that the SSA records the death of your loved one. This will help prevent fraud and also begin the process of providing any survivor benefits. 
• Credit Bureaus: Send written notice to credit reporting agencies – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. You can request a credit report for your deceased loved one and ask that a “Deceased Alert” be placed in their file. Helping the major credit bureaus flag your loved one's file will mean that no new lines of credit can be opened in their name.

• Regularly Monitor Accounts: During and after you’ve notified all personal and financial entities of your loved one’s death, keep a close eye on the accounts of the deceased to detect and report any unusual activities promptly. And continue to monitor any online memorial accounts to ensure they’re being used to honor your loved one properly. 

It’s lamentable that during our most tender, trying moments, we must set aside time and energy to shore up our defenses against those who would take advantage of our grief. But with knowledge and preparation, we can mitigate those risks, plan proactively, and feel safe to memorialize our deceased loved ones with dignity and peace. 

We at Our Tributes wish to express our hope that you will feel comfort and support throughout your mourning.

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