Supposedly, this is a true story. I wasn’t able to verify whether it is actually true or not. Probably not, but if you ever had to deal with a customer service representative over the phone you can probably relate to this anyway. From my own personal experiences I find it believable. Even if isn’t not actually true, I find it way too funny not to share! Maybe someone out there can either verify or deny its accuracy.
Cancel Your Credit Cards Before You die!
Now some people can really be stupid!!! Here is the story.
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her in February and March their annual service charges on her credit card account. They also billed her for the added late charge fees and interest for the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now is somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.
The Exchange:
After verifying the account name and number and all the boring preliminary stuff, here is the rest of 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 they will report her account to the frauds division or they will report her to the credit bureau, or maybe both!’
Family Member: ‘ Do you think God will be mad at her?’
Citibank: ‘ Excuse me?’
Family Member: ‘ Did you get what I am telling you? ‘
Citibank: ‘ Sir, you’ll have to speak to my supervisor.’
The Supervisor gets on the Phone:
Family Member: ‘I’m calling to to tell you , she died back in January with a $0 balance.’
Citibank: ‘ The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.’
Family Member: ‘ You mean you want to charge the estate?’
Citibank: (Stammer) ‘Are you a lawyer?’
Family member: ‘ No, I’m her great nephew.’ (Lawyer information was given)
Citibank: ‘ Could you fax us the Certificate of Death?’
Family Member: ‘ Sure.” (Fax number was given)
After They Received the Certificate of Death:
Citibank: ‘ Our system just isn’t set up 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 can just keep billing her. She won’t care.’
Citibank: ‘ Well, the fees and charges will still apply.’ ( What is wrong with these people? )
Family Member: ‘ Would you like a new billing address?’
Citibank: ‘ That might help …’
Family member: ” Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, Plot 69.’
Citibank: ‘ Sir, that’s a cemetery!’
Family Member: ‘ And what do you do with dead people on your planet???’
Priceless –
And you wondered why Citi is going broke and needs the feds to bail them out!!!
So, the question becomes, ‘ Should you really cancel all of your credit cards before you die?’ Or maybe, if you really know when you are going to die, and lean toward the dishonest side, just crank up the spending and have a good time? If anyone has had such an experience or if anyone has advice on the subject please help us out and chime in! Junior might even have the answers. He’s the expert on finances. Papa.
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