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 XYZ Bank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and then added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00, now is somewhere around $60.00.
A family member placed a call to the XYZ Bank:
Family Member:
'I am calling to tell you that she died in January.'
XYZ Bank:
'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member:
'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections.'
XYZ Bank:
'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?'
XYZ Bank:
'Either report her account to the frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!'
Family Member:
'Do you think God will be mad at her?'
XYZ Bank:
'Excuse me?'
Family Member:
'Did you just get what I was telling you . . . The part about her being dead?'
XYZ Bank:
'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member:
'I'm calling to tell you, she died in January.'
XYZ Bank:
'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'
Family Member:
'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'
XYZ Bank:
(Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'
Family Member:
'No, I'm her great nephew.'
(Lawyer info given)
XYZ Bank:
'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'
Family Member:
'Sure.'
(fax number is given )
After they get the fax:
XYZ Bank:
'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 could just keep billing her. I don't think she will care.'
XYZ Bank:
'Well, the late fees and charges do still apply.'
Family Member:
'Would you like her new billing address?'
XYZ Bank:
'That might help.'
Family Member:
'Rookwood Memorial Cemetery, 1249 Centenary Rd, Sydney, Plot Number 1234.'
XYZ Bank:
'Sir, that's a cemetery!'
Family Member:
'Well, what on earth do you do with dead people on your planet?'
Wife had similar experience after her father died (true story).
The estate needed the death certificate which was sent out in the mail. Only problem was that it was sent by registered mail AND addressed to her father. Aus Post would not release the mail unless signed by her father OR a copy of the death certificate was supplied to prove his death. Must teeth gnashing and shouting over that one, just what one needs in those circumstances.
