Is there any more insensitive institution in the world than a bank or a credit card company? Some industries are just sleazy. For example, since we’ve been in this global health crisis, I’ve been seeing advertisements on social media for cremation services. I do realize that it’s a needed service, but it just seems so insensitive to be targeting people with this right now. Banks and credit card companies are just as bad. I’ve also been seeing advertisements for high-interest loans from companies that offer payday loans and title loans. These types of lines of credit famously prey on vulnerable and desperate people. As for banks, have you ever been charged an insufficient funds fee? These fees happen when you’re overdrawn in your account. It makes no sense because that is when people are most commonly not able to afford these fees. But that’s how the banks make money, I guess. For the story below, we don’t know if it’s true, but it’s been circulating on email and social media and to be honest, it sounds about right. I can totally see a credit card company doing this. Enjoy.
My Aunt died this past January. CitiBank billed her for February and March for their monthly service charge on her credit card, and then added late fees and interest on the monthly charge… (the balance had been $0.00… now was somewhere around $60.00)
I placed the following phone call to CitiBank:
“I am calling to tell you that she died in January.”
“The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.”
Me: “Maybe, you should turn it over to collections…”
CitiBank: “Since it is 2 months past due, it already has been.”
Me: “So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?”
CitiBank: “Either report her account to the frauds division, or report her to the credit bureau… maybe both!”
Me: “Do you think God will be mad at her?”
CitiBank: “… excuse me …?”
Me: “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)
Me: ”I’m calling to tell you, she died in January.”
CitiBank: “The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.”
Me: “You mean you want to collect from her estate?”
CitiBank: “… (stammer)” … “Are you her lawyer?”
Me: “No, I’m her great nephew.” (Lawyer info given… )
CitiBank: “Could you fax us a certificate of death?”
Me: “Sure.” ( Fax number is given )
(After they get the fax. )
CitiBank: “Our system just isn’t setup for death… ”
Me: “Oh…”
CitiBank: “I don’t know what more I can do to help…”
Me: “Well… if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her… I suppose… don’t really think she will care…”
CitiBank: “Well… the late fees and charges do still apply.”
Me: “Would you like her new billing address?”
CitiBank: “That might help.”
Me: ” (Odessa Memorial Cemetery #### Hwy 129 and plot number given.)
CitiBank: “Sir, that’s a cemetery!”
Me: “What do you do with dead people on your planet?!!”
