"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Saturday - Some Public Service Information. . .


Thanks daughter and madsnapper!

And now for a 'little' useful information...

Cancel your credit card before you die.
Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die! This is so priceless, and 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!!)

Well, I did say a little help...

Thought for the day:

You are unique. Just like everyone else.



x_3bb45533

36 comments:

Jill said...

LOL!

Happy New Year to you and yours! *hugs*

Kim said...

Funny! Happy New Year. Looking forward to laughing with you in 2012.

MadSnapper said...

ha ha and a great idea to cancel the card before we die, then we will not run up a charge bill. for new years that is what everyone should do. i guess what the heirs should do is call and cancel the card. when my dad died and they doctor office had waited past the 90 day limit to send the bill to Medicare, they called me and wanted to bill it to his estate. i said he had no estate so do whatever you want.

Rae said...

Sounds mighty familiar. If I hadn't experienced the same runaround when my mother died, I wouldn't think it was possible. It's funny now - not at the time though. Can't believe those people can be so stupid.

Janie Fox said...

Ha That is ca razy!

Nancy said...

Priceless.....but happens more than we care to admit....

Happy New Year....

Dar said...

Ha, will definitely use the cemetery address...what the heck, anyway!!!
Priceless is not so priceless after all.
BlessYourHeart

The Boston Lady said...

Sandie, this is not as far fetched as it sounds. My dad died in 2003. I continue to get a statement from an investment firm quarterly for ten cents. At tax time I get the 1099 for the ten cents to be declared on his tax return. It never goes up or down, it's always ten cents. And yes, I have tried to get them to cancel the account, but they just don't seem to get it, so I just keep letting it go on. Crazy. Happy New Year! Ann

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year ...loved the Credit Card story....I no longer am a card tokin' person....gone gone gone.... pay with cash or I do w/out until I have enough cash...

Lynn said...

We went through similar stuff after my dad died. And mom was so upset by the items that kept coming that had his name on it asking him to get credit cards, etc.

Happy New Year, Sandie - and I hope 2012 is good to you. I am so happy to have found your blog - always fun and uplifting. xo

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you my dear friend!

Cheri said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

Never thought about the credit card but that would only apply if you knew that you were going to die.

Knitty said...

Think common sense will ever return? ;-)

Lost_without_a_Map said...

I have a better idea. Give ME your credit card before you die and I'll cancel it a day later (after I make a few purchases =).

Lois Christensen said...

This is hysterical!!! Thank you for making me laugh today! Enjoy your New Year's!

Pondside said...

Thanks for the laugh!

Marie said...

Wow! What is wrong with people?!

Hope you have a safe and fun New Year's Eve!

theconstantwalker said...

I wish you and all your family a lovely 2012..
Big hugs Andrew xx

Eat To Live said...

Thanks for my daily dose of humor Sandy

Happy New Year!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Too funny! Have a great day.

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

This is hilarious! You made my day.

Happy New Year!
Hugs, Sue

Angela said...

You know Sandie I can see this happening for sure! It is so difficult getting things taken care of when someone dies. Finding this out from where my FIL just died in November. My MIL couldn't have her SS check direct deposited because she had to take his name off the account before they would put her check in the bank account! That's crazy! She had to wait to get the death certificate before she could do that. Since he died in another state it took well over a month to get that all taken care of! You think that when it is a joint account that it wouldn't matter but apparently it does. I'm seriously considering getting my own checking account just in case because I don't know what I'd do if they tied up all of my money and I couldn't pay my bills.

Happy New Year!
Angela

Belle said...

Funny story, but it certainly rings true. Companies don't know what they are doing sometimes. My father's U.S. social security check came, he cashed it and died later in the month. The wanted all the money back since he didn't live all month. I sent it, but I thought it was pretty awful of them.

Catherine said...

Too too funny!
Happy New Year friend!
xo Catherine

MunirGhiasuddin said...

This is funny and yet sad. Do people have no understanding of life and death?

jeanlivingsimple said...

Oh...how funny.:-D)
Happy New Year to you and yours!!!

Remington said...

Thanks for the smile! Have a fun and safe New Years Eve! See you next year!

Sharon said...

I almost wish I could laugh at this story - but it's just too true. What a silly state of affairs -

Evidently death is NOT priceless...

HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear friend - may God richly bless you and yours in this coming year!

Love you!

Sally said...

Too true, yet funny.

Happy New Year to you and yours, Sandie.

((Hugs))

Gwendolyn said...

What a hoot and good advice too! Sandie, it's been great to visit you these last weeks! Blessings to you in this New Year! ~ Gwen ~

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hello There, Happy New Year! Make it a good one. Live and love more and stop worrying about things that are beyond your control. Every day is a gift and you can choose what you do with it!

Hugs,
Betsy

Elaine said...

Warm wishes for a Happy New Year

Susan said...

Hi Dear Sandie...Come to think of it, if I die without canceling my credit card, I'll be an optimist and leave "Heaven" as my new address. ha ha ha

HAPPY NEW YEAR, SANDIE! Susan

Terry said...

Howdy Sandie
Blessings and hugs from Texas !
Oh my what joy you bring to us here in blogland .
LOL moments that are often the highlight of my day .
Thank you and may 2012 bring to you not only the joy you have shared with us but so many blessings coming your way that you cannot begin to count them all ,looking forward to what the New Year brings your way :)
Thank you for your friendship,patient understanding and support this past year.

Happy New Year to you and yours
Until next time
Happy Trails

Unknown said...

This is good and yet sad. People have no thinking of life and death?
http://www.credocard.com

Ann said...

sounds typical with the customer service.
Happy New Year