Dealing With The Dead And The Idiot Banks Who Want to Collect

[Dumbledorange]

A relative lady died this past January, and Citibank 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 $100.00, now is somewhere around $600.00. I placed a call to Citibank and my software transcribes me as "Family Member" and "Bank" = numerous bank employees.

* Family Member: "I am calling to tell you that she died in January."
* Bank: "The account was never closed and the late fees and charges
still apply."
* Family Member: "Maybe, you should turn it over to collections."
* 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?"
* 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?"
* Bank: "Excuse me?"
* Family Member: "Did you just get what I was telling you - the part
about her being dead?"
* 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."
* 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?"
* Bank: (Stammer) "Are you her lawyer?"
* Family Member: "No, I'm her great nephew." (Lawyer info given)
* Bank: "Could you fax us a certificate of death?"
* Family Member: "Sure." (fax number is given)

After they get the fax:

* 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."
* Bank: "Well, the late fees and charges do still apply."
* Family Member: "Would you like her new billing address?"
* Bank: "That might help."
* Family Member: "Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, Plot Number
."
* Bank: "Sir, that's a cemetery!"
* Family Member: "What do you do with dead people on your planet?"

<sigh>

 

[crusse10]

More than anything, I'm flabbergasted by "Our system just isn't set-up for death." Like have banks never had a client pass away?!

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

If there was an executor, it was his/her duty to close the account. If there was not an executor, the personal representative who signs the small estate affidavit should have closed the account.

 

[Go aeiou]

A relative lady died this past January, and Citibank 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 $100.00, now is somewhere around $600.00. I placed a call to Citibank and my software transcribes me as "Family Member" and "Bank" = numerous bank employees.

* Family Member: "I am calling to tell you that she died in January."
* Bank: "The account was never closed and the late fees and charges
still apply."
* Family Member: "Maybe, you should turn it over to collections."
* 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?"
* 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?"
* Bank: "Excuse me?"
* Family Member: "Did you just get what I was telling you - the part
about her being dead?"
* 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."
* 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?"
* Bank: (Stammer) "Are you her lawyer?"
* Family Member: "No, I'm her great nephew." (Lawyer info given)
* Bank: "Could you fax us a certificate of death?"
* Family Member: "Sure." (fax number is given)

After they get the fax:

* 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."
* Bank: "Well, the late fees and charges do still apply."
* Family Member: "Would you like her new billing address?"
* Bank: "That might help."
* Family Member: "Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, Plot Number
."
* Bank: "Sir, that's a cemetery!"
* Family Member: "What do you do with dead people on your planet?"

<sigh>

Executor? Is that you? A Will?
Official Copies of death certificate.

If very small or no estate it should not be too difficult. There is a learning curve though.

Sound like you need a different dept at the bank. Most are likely working at home. Patience!

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Anybody trust banks or take banks seriously anymore?

 

[Dumbledorange]

Citibank got all the notification they deserve. They can look up recent deaths for confirmation. Other than that, who really gives a FF art this point. As far as I am concerned I did them a favor and that's all they get.

 

[Roustabout]

More than anything, I'm flabbergasted by "Our system just isn't set-up for death." Like have banks never had a client pass away?!

Years ago, I think it was Belk, sent out credit cards to widows where the name read Mrs. Deceased.

My grandmother shopped with it several times to see if a clerk or anyone would notice.

 

[Go aeiou]

Citibank got all the notification they deserve. They can look up recent deaths for confirmation. Other than that, who really gives a FF art this point. As far as I am concerned I did them a favor and that's all they get.

If I am reading correctly there is an attorney involvedTo handle the estate? Is the atty the executor? You might want to discuss your bank dealings with the executor.

There are specific procedures to follow when someone passes. Sometimes things are simple sometimes not so.

The laws of her state might dictate that more notification is necessary such as a notice in a local newspaper.

If you stay involved good luck.