Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die.

[mike w]

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 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!!!

 

[STL Mark]

That's funny.

So, DV? What does happen to unpaid bills upon death?

 

[Matthew 10:16]

It depends on whether the estate is capable of paying. If the estate is probated creditors are given 6 months from date of issuance of letters of ofiice to file claims. If claims are not filed within this time limit, those claims do not have to be paid. It's almost like or akin to a bankruptcy discharge. Potentially/hypothetically an estate could have more debts then assets upon the passing of someone, but if the majority of claims are not timely filed, then there could be $ left to be distributed to heirs/beneficiaries. Therefore probating the estate would obviously be beneficial under those circumstances.

 

[A Snake]

OK David...good legal advise...who are you billing that one to? Mark or Mike? I think Mark since he asked the question in Mike's thread.
Mark, don't pay it and let your estate handle it.