Even In Death The Bills Keep Coming
October 9, 2006 by Karen Weideman
Filed under financial matters, odds and ends
I have been wanting to post something funny for you all. It’s the beginning of the work week and I got this email dealing with money, so this is just for fun. Hope you enjoy. 
A lady died this past January, and the credit card company billed her for February & March for their annual service charges on her credit card, & added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance that had been $0.00, was now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to the credit card company. Here’s the exchange:
Family Member: “I am calling to tell you she died in January.”
CCC (Credit Card Company): “The account was never closed and the late fees & charges still apply.”
Family Member: “Maybe, you should turn it over to collections.”
CCC: “Since it is 2 months past due, it already has been.”
Family Member: “So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?”
CCC: “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?”
CCC: “Excuse me?”
Family Member: “Did you just get what I was telling you – the part about her being dead?”
CCC: “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.”
CCC: “The account was never closed, so the late fees and charges still apply.” (This must be a phrase taught by the bank!)
Family Member: “Do you mean you want to collect from her estate?”
CCC: (Stammering) “Are you her lawyer?”
Family Member: “No, I’m her great nephew.”
CCC: “Could you fax us a certificate of death?”
Family Member: “Sure.” (fax number is given)
After they get the fax:
CCC: “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 really don’t think she will care.”
CCC: “Well, the late fees & charges do still apply.” (What is wrong with these people?!?)
Family Member: “Would you like her new billing address?”
CCC: “Yes, that will help.”
Family Member: “Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, Plot Number 69.”
CCC: “Sir . . . . . . that’s a cemetery!”
Family Member: “What do you do with dead people on your planet?
The sad part is that many credit card companies and lenders continue to harrass family members after the death of a loved one. This happened to my mom after my grandfather died. They will try harrassment, phone calls, guilt trips, endless letters, and anything else to get you to pay for the debt. They are not sympathetic to your grief. Remember that you are not responsible for someone else’s debt after they have passed away. See, I found a moral lesson through this silly email. 
I hope this little funny made you smile today.
