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.'
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!! Have you wondered why Citi is going broke and need the feds to bail them out!!
So…be sure you cancel your credit cards before you die! LOL
Haha, I will make sure to get on that!
ReplyDeleteLOL Autumn...you do that! ;)
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
Seriously so funny - and totally sad - but I love the way the family member played with the bank when they were being stupid and clueless.
ReplyDelete:) Cali
I agree Cali...the sad part is that the customer service supervisor was just as clueless as the tier 1 support!
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
Not just banks (they are the smart people they get a bonus each year) but utilies companies as well. Had a simular conversation with the electric and telephone company after my mother died.
ReplyDeleteAh well, death isn't part of making money, I suppose.
Thank you for the story,
Han
So sorry for the problems you had regarding your mother Han. It is amazing to me that none of these companies are set up to handle loss in a compassionate way. :(
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
Over here we refer to these people as "More than my job's worth." Some folk really are incredible aren't they?
ReplyDeleteHugs
Ami
Got that right Ami!
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
OMG, unbelievable! I just love that they wanted the new billing address! :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
I agree Roz...I love that the family gave them a new billing address. LOL
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
Yikes.....thinking and listening seem to be loss arts.....Love the forwarding address he gave them.
ReplyDeletehugs abby
I agree Abby...definitely seems to be lost arts! The forwarding address totally cracked me up! :)
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
Oh good grief!! That is insane!! And I can imagine that these kinds of things go on all the time. There should be an easier way, all the way around for families taking care of things after loss of a loved one.
ReplyDeleteI loved this guy's clever answers! Thanks for sharing, Cat T! Many hugs,
<3 Cousin Katie
Hey Cousin Katie T! It just amazes me that none of these companies have any procedures set up to handle loss. The guy's answers were great weren't they. ;)
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
oh dear...this is why I don't answer the phone unless I know the number... :-)
ReplyDeleteGood strategy Terps! I usually don't in the evenings but during the day, I have to because I work form home. :(
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
Oh my goodness, that is like the time my friend rang to change the name on a utility bill because her husband had died and they asked to speak to him to confirm the change!!
ReplyDeletelove Jan,xx
Oh good gravy Jan! If I had been your friend, I think I would have asked them what part of dead did they not understand!
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat
We had to move a family member into a care home (she has dementia and can't talk) and needed to cancel her telephone line. We explained that she was in a home and couldn't speak but they kept insisting they needed to speak to her. This went on for weeks.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ronnie
xx
Sorry deleted comment was mine.
Good gravy Ronnie...that is so sad...dealing with a family members decline or loss is tough enough without idiots!
DeleteDon't worry about deleted comment...just totally removed it. ;)
Hugs and Blessings...
Cat
Oh the joy of speaking with corporations!
ReplyDeleteLots of fun isn't it Minelle! ;)
DeleteHugs and Blessings...
Cat