Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die.
This is classic...a must read
This is 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 their annual service charges on her credit card. The balance had been $0.00, now with interest was 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 in January.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and the 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?' (I really liked this part)
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.'
(Duh!)
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you she died in January.'
Citibank: 'The account was never closed and fees and charges still apply.' (This must be a phrase taught by the bank!)
Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'
Citibank: (Stammering) 'Are you her lawyer?'
Family Member: 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info given)
Citibank: 'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'
Family Member: 'Sure.'
(Fax number is given)
After they get the fax:
Citibank: 'You know sir; 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. I don't think she will care.'
Citibank: 'Well, the fees and charges do still apply.'
Family Member 'Right" (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: 'Now we are getting somewhere. What do you do with dead people on your planet?'