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Deleting MSE online accounts/posts

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So doing some life housework, thankfully no reason to just now but - well you know, anything could happen and its very MSE to have your affairs in order. On Facebook, there is a fairly simple process to delete an account. How would someone go about deleting an MSE account and old posts if the account holder passed away?

Comments

  • 74jax
    74jax Posts: 7,930 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'm not sure an executor would even know if they had an account. 
    I guess if the deceased was organised and had EVERYTHING listed it would be known. But I don't even know the forums by husband is on. He on here from years ago but I've never asked him..... Maybe I will now..... 
    Forty and fabulous, well that's what my cards say....
  • p00hsticks
    p00hsticks Posts: 14,414 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 29 January 2021 at 2:07PM
    I'm not sure why you would feel the need to delete all their old posts, but I imagine you would simply make a request to the MSE team to close the account - datarequest@moneysavingexpert.com
    You would need to show you had good cause to make the request - probably proof that the account holder is dead (death certificate ?) and that you have authority to act on behalf of their estate (e.g. their will showing you as executor)

    Edit - as an aside, I would;nt be in too much of a hurry to delete the facebook account, especially if you can get into it. I've found it invaluable in tracking down and communicating with some of my late brothers friends who I didn't know personally. 
  • TheGardener
    TheGardener Posts: 3,303 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thankfully I don't need to delete anything just now but in planning how my 'virtual' estate and online life are managed if I pass away I wondered how it would work with MSE. I don't suppose the posts need to be deleted but closing/deleting the account would be something I'd like to happen. 
    So much of our lives are online - besides the obvious of utility accounts etc - there are things like supermarket reward schemes, shopping accounts etc 
  • p00hsticks
    p00hsticks Posts: 14,414 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    From my experience, you can tackle most of it by ensuring that the person handling your affairs can access your e-mail account. Monitoring that over a period time will alert them to most of their online presence as banks, reward schemes, MSE, shopping accounts will all e-mail them from time to time. The e-mails will also usually contain links both to just unsubscribe from the mails or, if further action is needed (e.g. to pay off or collect balances). customer service contact details or links to associated websites.
  • TheGardener
    TheGardener Posts: 3,303 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thank p00hsticks - that seems sensible. I've done a little spreadsheet with most of the more important things on it like payment sites, email, bank accounts etc - I'll just provide a list of the main online accounts I have and they can take it from there. :)
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