cancel your credit card before you die!

18 years ago

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 do still apply.' (What is wrong with these people?!?)

Family Member: 'Would you like her new billing address?'

Citibank: 'That might help.'

Family Member: 'OdessaMemorialCemetery, Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'

Citibank: 'Sir, that's a cemetery!'

Family Member: 'What do you do with dead people on your planet???

(Priceless!!)

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Comments (8)

Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
18 years ago
Oh...don't get me started...LOL!

My Brother passed away 2 years ago this month. Bill collectors still call here. His credit is ruined.

I pity the fool who tries to steal his identity.

Gayle
monica_pa Grieves
18 years ago
My husband always drove leased cars - leased in his name only.
When he died, I reported it to the leasing company...to rerutn the car.
They insisted that I was responsible for the balance of the lease amount. I said "No", my name is not on the lease.
They then said his estate was responsible for the buyout amount of the lease. I responded that his estate was insolvent.

I also told them that the car was due for state inspection and registration at the end of the month...and that I could not legally register the vehicle because "My name is not on the lease, come get your car".

just before the end of the month, I got a call that the car was being reposessed, and that it would go on DH's credit report...a couple of days later, a repo guy called and I told him that it would be in the driveway, keys on the seat...take it.
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ntt_hou
18 years ago
These collectors are scary, aren't they?!
LOL... The same thing happened when my dad passed away! We kept sending them copies of my dad's death certificate but the bills kept rolling in! It took almost a year before they accept his death and all bills ceased.
gwanny2three
18 years ago
Sounds like conversations we had with Sears and fingerhut when DH's grandma died in 1991. They both asked if there was anything that she had bought from them that we could return! It took forever to clear up the mess THEY created after she passed away. they even asked my SIL if she would be willing to cover the bills....she laughed and hung up! They are pretty amazing!
azzalea
18 years ago
I'm settling my mom's estate now.

Obviously, in the original post here, there should have been no charges, since the account was 0 when the woman died, but the executor DOES have the responsibility of notifying anyone who has a financial interest. And it's pretty obvious that the credit card company needs to take a serious look at their practices and make a few revisions.

But debts don't die with the person. Every will I've ever read includes the statement that the executor/executrix is charged with the responsibility of paying off all debts as quickly as possible, so it's perfectly reasonable for any creditor to ask for--and expect--to be paid what they are entitled to.

Maybe I'm out of step here--but I've been calling everyone I can think of to find out if my mom OWED them any money when she died, and as soon as I find an unpaid bill, they get a check immediately. It's only been about 4 months, but it looks as if I've tracked down all the bills she owes--I don't see how it could take much longer, if the executor is on the ball. And at my accountant's urging I'll be disbursing to my brother and sisters this weekend.

But don't get me started on jury duty--now THAT questionaire, I filled out with her new address (XXX Cemetary). I posted about that a few weeks ago. I did get a lovely letter back from the assignment judge, though--he's someone my family has known for over 50 years, and it was nice to touch base with him, even if it was over mom's inability to report to serve.
joyfulguy
18 years ago
"Cancel your credit card before you die", huh?

Where do I go/whom do I ask ...

... to find out when I'm gonna die?

ole joyful ... crowding age 80
liz
18 years ago
Moni...I just love ya to death...Thanks for my first belly gut laugh of the day...I think every KT member should send this out in email to EVERYONE on their list...what a complete bunch of morons...there was serious lacking of common sense on the people who answered the phone that day...sure I can see where an estate is liable for making sure the dead persons bills are settled...but this is beyond ridiculous!
joyfulguy
18 years ago
Maybe God knows ...

... but She ain't tellin'.

Before you get your shirt-tail tied into a knot, remember this ...

... everyone knows that females are not only smarter'n males ...

... they're also more understanding and considerate, as well.

ole joyful

cancel your credit card before you die!

Comments (8)

Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle

monica_pa Grieves

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