It’s obvious that all of us would love to have access to the social media accounts of our loved ones in the event of their death. As this allows to know the life of the bereaved and how they spent or what they desired before misfortune struck them.
However, many do not know on whom to contact or what to follow in order to extract the login details of the online account that was used by the loved ones. So, to all those, here are some tips to follow that will help in gaining back the access to the account.
Usually, all social media websites like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram ask for a copy of a death certificate issued by the governing municipality or the state’s office or the county’s clerk desk. Actually, holding multiple such copies makes sense, as death certificates help a person claim not only the online account access of the bereaved, but help in gaining access to bank accounts, in the event of the users’ sudden death.
Next comes the family link certificate with the dead person, as it helps the tech giants and the financial institutions know what exactly is the relationship of the claiming person is, with the dead. A letter of the Testamentary will helps as it gives legal access to the person over the property of the dead.
After taking these two documents, one can make a direct approach to the tech company through proper channel. Actually, Facebook, Pay Pal, Twitter, Google and Instagram have a support page to file a claim in this regard. Banks do not have such automated online processes and so the person needs to visit the institution in person, with the required documentary support.
Google has already set-up a web paged titled “Inactive Account Manager” that helps the user to alert their near & dear accounts in the event of their account staying inactive for a specified period- say 1 month. Meaning, the web search giant allows the person to set an automated contact or email id. And in the event of inactivity for long period, the contact receives an email alert, asking them to follow the steps to recovery. Provided the user has already setup what we should do if their account goes inactive for a longer period. And depending upon the instructions, the person will get access to drive, mail or other features of the Google web search giant features.
Microsoft also follows a similar process in the setup and asks for a power of attorney or will documentation and a government ID proof to provide access to the account.
Mobile companies have stopped entertaining such online requests and want the person to take the claim after physically visiting their office.
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