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‘… And for a bit of trivia.  We cannot vouch for the truth of the story. 

If you are an executor or an administrator of a deceased person’s estate and face a similar situation, we suggest that you contact the bank to ask for the account to be closed. The bank will ask for a copy of the death certificate and possibly other documents.’

Note to self: Cancel credit cards prior to death!

The story goes like this…

A lady died this past January and her 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.

Her nephew rang the bank:

Nephew:
‘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.’
Nephew:
‘Maybe, you should turn it over to collections..’

Bank:
‘Since it is two months past due, it already has been.’

Nephew:
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!’

Nephew:
‘Do you think God will be mad at her?’

Bank:
‘Excuse me?’

Nephew:
‘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:
Nephew:
‘I’m calling to tell you, she died in January.’

Bank:
‘The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.’

Nephew:
‘You mean you want to collect from her estate?’

Bank:
(Stammer) ‘Are you her lawyer?’

Nephew:
‘No, I’m her great nephew.’

Bank:
‘Could you fax us a certificate of death?’

Nephew:
‘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.’

Nephew:
‘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.’
Nephew:
‘Would you like her new billing address?’

Bank:
‘That might help.’

Nephew:
(address is given of the cemetery)

Bank:
‘Sir, that’s a cemetery!’

Nephew:
‘Well, what do you do with dead people on your planet!?’

 

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