Death of a loved one can be very emotional. Alongside grief there are practical matters to deal with and one of them is managing their digital assets. Because digital assets range from social media accounts to online banking and cloud storage, these need to be dealt with quickly. But this process can be daunting, especially in such a challenging time.
And knowing how to manage online accounts, secure valuable information and protect against fraud is critical awareness. Below, we describe five significant steps you can take to manage digital assets carefully, so that your loved one’s wishes are honoured.
Every online service has its own policies on what happens to accounts after a user dies. Some social media firms offer to delete or memorialise accounts; others require legal documentation before issuing data.
For example, Facebook has options for memorialisation or account deletion if requested. Google has an Inactive Account Manager tool to help users determine what should happen to their account in the event of inactivity. Instagram can also memorialise or delete accounts. Apple is more stringent, though, and access to an iCloud account generally requires a court order.
Checking these policies ahead of time can make it easier to manage your loved one’s digital footprint. The sooner you can start the process of preparing your legal documents, the better off you will be, you will know which platforms require this and which do not, so you can ensure that you do not waste time and money.
The first challenge in managing digital assets is locating and accessing your loved one’s online accounts. This process can be tedious without login credentials. But all is not lost; here are some things to try to get access and preserve even critical information.
First, see if your loved one used a password manager, because these tools often collect login credentials all in one place. If a password manager isn’t available, search for written records or saved login details on personal devices.
If you can’t access login credentials, check out account recovery through the website. It’s common for services to allow you to reset a password by verifying your email or your phone. If none of these restore options work, try reaching out to the service directly. You will likely need to show proof of authority, like a death certificate or legal paperwork, to access or close the account.
Accessing these accounts allows you to recover vital information related to finances, protect personal memories and stop misuse.
Digital assets typically include sensitive and sentimental information, from financial accounts to personal documents to irreplaceable memories, like photos and videos. Making sure these assets are properly secured is a key component to handling a loved one’s digital legacy.
You might need to take this all at once if there are financial accounts (like PayPal, online banking, and cryptocurrency wallets). Go through your bills and look for any active subscriptions and auto-payments. Cancel them.
Personal documents like legal papers, tax records and work-related files often reside in cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox and iCloud. Creating back up of these documents can save them from accidental loss.
For many, digital photos are steeped in sentimental value. If your loved one had media saved on social networks, cloud services or other storage, take steps to download and save them. The fact that we saved these memories, means that they are available for family and generations to come.
Sadly, online fraudsters sometimes target digital accounts belonging to the deceased. If accounts are left active without supervision, the serious risks of identity theft and scams become real. Steps can be taken to lock down accounts and alert relevant organisations to prevent fraud.
One of the best routes to protect the digital identity of your loved one is to shut down unused accounts as soon as possible. Having these accounts closed or memorialised helps to prevent unauthorised access and can give survivors peace of mind that they will access old social media profiles, online marketplaces and email accounts.
The other essential thing to monitor is active accounts. Monitor bank accounts, credit card statements and email inboxes for suspicious activity. Report them as soon as you notice anything unusual to the service provider.
Also notify the financial institutions, subscription services and government agencies of your loved one’s death. Alerting banks and credit card companies can help stop future transactions or fraudulent activity.
These are all important steps to protect your loved one’s digital identity and secure their online presence.
Dealing with digital assets can be especially taxing and emotionally exhausting. Due to having multiple accounts, usernames, passwords, and security measures, it could all be quite overwhelming to navigate it on your own. This is where a little professional support can go a long way.
GentleTech: With empathy and expertise, GentleTech helps people process and manage digital assets after a death. We know first-hand how difficult managing online accounts can be, and we’re ready to help in any way we can.
We complete training up until October 2023. We offer technical assistance to recover critical documents, shut down accounts and appropriately handle sensitive data.
Other platforms may have more rigorous policies in place that require extra legal documentation before access to this information is provided. If your issues are with big service providers though, we can help navigate legal processes to access or properly close accounts.
When a grieving family contacted GentleTech after being unable to control their deceased father’s online accounts. He had accessed various banking apps, social media profiles and cloud storage services but there was no record of his passwords.
With our assistance, they found his digital assets, accessed crucial accounts and backed up sentimental photos and critical documents. We helped them close unnecessary accounts, minimising their chances of identity fraud. Our support alleviated one aspect of their burden, enabling them to turn their attention to healing and remembering their loved one.
If you’re administering a loved one’s digital assets, a systematic approach may help. Here are key steps to take:
Start by making a list of known accounts, subscriptions and services. At the same time, list down any linked email addresses and sign-in credentials that you may be able to list.
Your next step is to contact service providers to request the closing or memorialisation of accounts. Must present giving evidence of death, such as giving death proof, for sending the request.
Watch for unusual activity on active accounts and follow up if anything seems out of place. Notify companies of fraudulent transactions and close accounts to mitigate any security risk.
Finally, keep a record of EVERYTHING you do. Having records of closed accounts, recovered files, and access specifications will help to avoid confusion and ensure all digital assets are treated properly.
Use this checklist to step forward in digital asset management with clarity and determination.
Dealing with a loved one’s digital accounts after their death can feel daunting, but with the right information and help, it can be made less so. To effectively manage digital assets, learn their platform policies, safeguard essential information, and protect against fraud.
Today, at GentleTech, our solution is to walk you through this process with compassion and insight. Our team of professionals offers practical solutions and compassionate oversight for the preservation and management of your loved one’s digital online footprint.
Visit GentleTech today if you require assistance in managing digital accounts or securing important data! We are there for you through this difficult time with the support and care you need.
Let us help you navigate this challenging time with compassion and care. Reach out to learn how we can support you through managing your loved one’s digital assets. 020 4616 0300
