What to do if…
you suspect someone is accessing the money or property of a person who has died

What to do now

1. Get to a safer pause and check immediate risk.
   If someone is inside the home removing property, there is an active break-in, you are being threatened, or a crime is happening now, call 999. If it is not an emergency but you believe a crime has happened, call 101 or use the appropriate fraud reporting route below.

2. Contact each bank, building society, credit card provider, or card issuer urgently.
   Ask for the bereavement team or fraud team and say: “The account holder has died and we suspect unauthorised access.” Ask what they can do now to:

   • freeze or block sole accounts from withdrawals and transfers
   • cancel cards and cheque books
   • lock online and telephone banking access
   • place a clear fraud or bereavement warning note on the account
   • tell you what proof they need next, such as a death certificate or interim certificate

   If you do not yet have formal authority, still report the concern and ask what immediate protective steps they can take. If the situation is time-sensitive, contact the bank directly rather than relying only on a multi-bank notification service.

3. Tell the executor or likely administrator, if you know who that is.
   The executor is named in a will. If there is no will, an administrator may later deal with the estate. Send one calm message with:

   • what you noticed
   • dates, times, amounts, account names, items, or keys involved
   • which bank, police, fraud, or property routes you have contacted
   • a request that they take over formal notifications and record-keeping if they have authority

4. Make a simple record before memories blur.
   Write down what happened in date order. Keep screenshots, bank alerts, statements, texts, emails, receipts, photographs, doorbell footage, and names of anyone who may have seen the access. Do not alter documents or devices to try to investigate.

5. Reduce risk at the home without taking over unlawfully.
   If you are a lawful occupant, legitimate keyholder, executor, administrator, or have clear permission, secure loose keys and note who has copies. Photograph rooms and obvious valuables as they are, using wide shots first. Do not start removing possessions or changing locks unless you are clearly entitled to control access or have advice.

6. Treat missing post or new financial letters as a warning sign.
   If you can lawfully see that bank letters, cards, PIN reminders, cheque books, loan letters, title documents, or replacement cards are arriving or missing, make a note and tell the bank, executor, administrator, or police reporting route. Do not open, redirect, or remove post unless you have authority.

7. Report suspected fraud through the right UK route.
   For England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, report suspected fraud or cyber crime through Report Fraud. For Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101. Keep the report factual: who died, what access or loss you noticed, what you have already done to stop further access, and what records exist.

8. If a property in England or Wales may be targeted, set up Property Alert.
   If the person who died owned a registered property in England or Wales, HM Land Registry Property Alert can email alerts about certain activity on the title. It does not automatically block changes, but it can help someone spot suspicious activity quickly. If you already have authority or advice, ask a solicitor about whether any further title protection is appropriate.

9. Use wider notification services only for non-immediate administration.
   Tell Us Once can notify many government organisations after a death in England, Scotland, or Wales when the death has been registered or an interim certificate is available. The Death Notification Service can help notify participating financial institutions, but for urgent suspected access, contact the bank or provider directly first.