Cancel your credit cards before you die
09-21-2011, 12:16 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North Wales
Posts: 473
As a probate lawyer I have to tell you this happens ALL the time. So frustrating.
And my clients then blame me for not contacting X company to advise of the death because they cannot believe that any company would be that stupid.
So I get to deal with trying to enlighten the stupid company and also calming down the family members, who are (understandably!) upset when their deceased relative is receiving red demands through the post.
Funny thing - it is standard practice here to contact all known companies with whom the deceased had accounts to advise of the death and the fact that I am now dealing with the estate, while requesting that any future correspondence in relation to the account is forwarded to me c/o my firm. So their computers quite happily do this to forward all advertising to me, but the red demands always go to the deceased's home...
Can you tell I have a bit of an issue with this?!?? LOL
And my clients then blame me for not contacting X company to advise of the death because they cannot believe that any company would be that stupid.
So I get to deal with trying to enlighten the stupid company and also calming down the family members, who are (understandably!) upset when their deceased relative is receiving red demands through the post.
Funny thing - it is standard practice here to contact all known companies with whom the deceased had accounts to advise of the death and the fact that I am now dealing with the estate, while requesting that any future correspondence in relation to the account is forwarded to me c/o my firm. So their computers quite happily do this to forward all advertising to me, but the red demands always go to the deceased's home...
Can you tell I have a bit of an issue with this?!?? LOL
09-21-2011, 01:19 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 935
I think its horrible how all of us seem to have one of these stories to tell. I've dealt with it a few times as different family members have died. But, they keep popping up every couple of years as one collections agency buys junk debt from another, and I have to go through the entire process again. I now keep photocopied documents that I just send in. Only stops it until the next time.
They true stupidity I dealt with was having one of my own cable company account turned over for collections. I moved from Florida, and gave them my new NY address to send the final bill. They sent it, and I paid it. The next month, I received a bill for $0.00. Then, the month after that, a late notice asking me to pay $0.00 or they would shut off my service. I ignored that one also. Got another one threatening to turn my $0.00 balance over to a collection agency. I called them laughing. The CSR agreed it was a mistake and said she would take care of it. Six months later, I got a call from a collection agency demanding payment (apparently cable company stupidity is contagious)!!! No more laughing matter, because they had tacked on fees of almost $500.00!!! I thought that was a bit excessive. Went back to original cable company and explained the situation. The rep told me I should have paid my bill when I had the chance. I told him to look at the balance on the account. His response was "Oh." In a moment of frustration, I asked if I sent in a payment would that clear up this mess? He said of course. I mailed a check for $0.00 to the cable company with a letter. They cashed my check and sent me a receipt for payment along with a letter of apology. Luckily, enough time has passed since this incident that I can laugh about it now, but it really wasn't funny at the time.
They true stupidity I dealt with was having one of my own cable company account turned over for collections. I moved from Florida, and gave them my new NY address to send the final bill. They sent it, and I paid it. The next month, I received a bill for $0.00. Then, the month after that, a late notice asking me to pay $0.00 or they would shut off my service. I ignored that one also. Got another one threatening to turn my $0.00 balance over to a collection agency. I called them laughing. The CSR agreed it was a mistake and said she would take care of it. Six months later, I got a call from a collection agency demanding payment (apparently cable company stupidity is contagious)!!! No more laughing matter, because they had tacked on fees of almost $500.00!!! I thought that was a bit excessive. Went back to original cable company and explained the situation. The rep told me I should have paid my bill when I had the chance. I told him to look at the balance on the account. His response was "Oh." In a moment of frustration, I asked if I sent in a payment would that clear up this mess? He said of course. I mailed a check for $0.00 to the cable company with a letter. They cashed my check and sent me a receipt for payment along with a letter of apology. Luckily, enough time has passed since this incident that I can laugh about it now, but it really wasn't funny at the time.
09-21-2011, 04:17 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,116
Even 'funnier'is when 'they' cancel everything whilst you're still alive! I had to go to all the authorities and explain to them that my grandmother was still alive and could she please get her pension cards etc issued to her.They said that they assumed she was dead...and she said the bus driver never asked her to show her card when she got the pensioner fare(I guess he was smart enough to think she looked 95..).
09-21-2011, 05:37 AM
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Quitman Tx
Posts: 253
I THINK THAT THESE PEOPLE MOST LIKELY DEAL WITH FRAUDULANT DEATH CLAIMS ALL DAY EVERY DAY. PEOPLE MOSTLY LIKELY GET IN OVER THEIR HEADS, CAN'T PAY THEIR BILLS AND CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE DIED. OR THE CARD HOLDER IS SCAMMING THE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES WITH DEATH CLAIMS. I DON'T THINK I'D BLAME THE COMPANY AS MUCH AS I WOULD THE SOCIETY THAT WE LIVE IN.
09-21-2011, 06:14 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Campton,Kentucky
Posts: 1,397
Originally Posted by Crossstitcher
: Cancel your credit cards before you die!!
HOW TRUE THIS IS...DEALING WITH THESE TYPES OF PEOPLE...
A REAL SHAKE YOUR HEAD
Now some people are really stupid!!!!
Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die.
This is so priceless, and so, so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today..
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.
Here is the exchange :
Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections. '
Citibank: 'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'
Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'
Citibank: 'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!'
Family Member: 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'
Citibank: 'Excuse me?'
Family Member: 'Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?'
Citibank: 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor'
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'
Citibank: (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'
Family Member: 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given)
Citibank: 'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'
Family Member: 'Sure.' (Fax number was given )
After they get the fax :
Citibank: 'Our system just isn't setup for death.. I don't know what more I can do to help.'
Family Member: 'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care.'
Citibank: 'Well, the late fees and charges will still apply
(What is wrong with these people?!?)
Family Member: 'Would you like her new billing address?'
Citibank: 'That might help....'
Family Member: ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'
Citibank: 'Sir, that's a cemetery!'
Family Member: 'And what do you do with dead people on your planet???'
(Priceless!! )
Cancel your credit cards before you die!!
HOW TRUE THIS IS...DEALING WITH THESE TYPES OF PEOPLE...
A REAL SHAKE YOUR HEAD
Now some people are really stupid!!!!
Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die.
This is so priceless, and so, so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today..
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.
Here is the exchange :
Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections. '
Citibank: 'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'
Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'
Citibank: 'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!'
Family Member: 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'
Citibank: 'Excuse me?'
Family Member: 'Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?'
Citibank: 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor'
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'
Citibank: (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'
Family Member: 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given)
Citibank: 'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'
Family Member: 'Sure.' (Fax number was given )
After they get the fax :
Citibank: 'Our system just isn't setup for death.. I don't know what more I can do to help.'
Family Member: 'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care.'
Citibank: 'Well, the late fees and charges will still apply
(What is wrong with these people?!?)
Family Member: 'Would you like her new billing address?'
Citibank: 'That might help....'
Family Member: ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'
Citibank: 'Sir, that's a cemetery!'
Family Member: 'And what do you do with dead people on your planet???'
(Priceless!! )
HOW TRUE THIS IS...DEALING WITH THESE TYPES OF PEOPLE...
A REAL SHAKE YOUR HEAD
Now some people are really stupid!!!!
Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die.
This is so priceless, and so, so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today..
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.
Here is the exchange :
Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections. '
Citibank: 'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'
Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'
Citibank: 'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!'
Family Member: 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'
Citibank: 'Excuse me?'
Family Member: 'Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?'
Citibank: 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor'
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'
Citibank: (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'
Family Member: 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given)
Citibank: 'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'
Family Member: 'Sure.' (Fax number was given )
After they get the fax :
Citibank: 'Our system just isn't setup for death.. I don't know what more I can do to help.'
Family Member: 'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care.'
Citibank: 'Well, the late fees and charges will still apply
(What is wrong with these people?!?)
Family Member: 'Would you like her new billing address?'
Citibank: 'That might help....'
Family Member: ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'
Citibank: 'Sir, that's a cemetery!'
Family Member: 'And what do you do with dead people on your planet???'
(Priceless!! )
Cancel your credit cards before you die!!
HOW TRUE THIS IS...DEALING WITH THESE TYPES OF PEOPLE...
A REAL SHAKE YOUR HEAD
Now some people are really stupid!!!!
Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die.
This is so priceless, and so, so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today..
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.
Here is the exchange :
Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections. '
Citibank: 'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'
Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'
Citibank: 'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!'
Family Member: 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'
Citibank: 'Excuse me?'
Family Member: 'Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?'
Citibank: 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor'
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'
Citibank: (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'
Family Member: 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given)
Citibank: 'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'
Family Member: 'Sure.' (Fax number was given )
After they get the fax :
Citibank: 'Our system just isn't setup for death.. I don't know what more I can do to help.'
Family Member: 'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care.'
Citibank: 'Well, the late fees and charges will still apply
(What is wrong with these people?!?)
Family Member: 'Would you like her new billing address?'
Citibank: 'That might help....'
Family Member: ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'
Citibank: 'Sir, that's a cemetery!'
Family Member: 'And what do you do with dead people on your planet???'
(Priceless!! )
09-21-2011, 06:16 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Headed home
Posts: 2,372
I could add our experiences to the list, as we received dunning letters after my MIL died. It was crazy. And that was nearly 30 years ago. I do not blame the credit card companies for wanting proof of death, but surely they could contact the lawyer, as requested, rather than the grieving family.
09-21-2011, 06:28 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 1,853
This same thing happened to us. Our daughter was killed in an accident and her cell phone company kept calling about her bill. I kept telling them she was dead but they kept telling me that she had a contract and was obligated to pay. It was so painfull every time I took a call from them.
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