A Funny.

[trikebubble]

A Funny. (may be true, maybe not, but funny nonetheless)

A lady died this past January, and CitiBank billed her for February and March for their annual service charge 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
A family member placed a call to CitiBank:

Family Member: I’m calling to tell you that she died in January.
CitiBank: The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.
FM: Maybe you should turn it over to collections.
CB: Since it is two months past due, it already has been.
FM: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?
CB: Either report her account to the frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!
FM: Do you think God will be mad at her?
CB: Excuse me?
FM: Did you get what I was telling you – the part about her being dead?
CB: Sir, you will have to speak to my supervisor.
(Supervisor gets on the phone)
FM: I’m calling to tell you, she died in January.
CB: The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.
FM: You mean you want to collect from her estate?
CB: Are you…her lawyer?
FM: No, I’m her great-nephew (lawyer information is given)
CB: Could you fax us a certificate of death?
FM: Sure. (fax number is given)
(After they receive the fax)
CB: Our system just isn’t set up for death. I don’t know what more I can do to help.
FM: Well. If you figure it out, great. If not, you could just keep billing her. I don’t think she will care.
CB: Well, the late fees and charges do still apply.
FM: Would you like her new billing address?
CB: That might help.
FM: Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, Plot number 69.
CB: Sir, that is a cemetery!
FM: What do you do with dead people on your planet?

[JoeNomad1]

From my experience, it has to be a real call.

[BamaBob]

This sounds like some discussions I've had with a certain credit card company!!

[TBVulcan]

Cetrtainly not true, but **** funny non the less!

The annual service charge billed in Feb and March is the first clue....why would any credit card bill an annual service charge two months in a row.....
You can always check snopes if this thingis making the email rounds.
Still funny!

[Vorgto]

hella funny and the best part is i could totally see them doing that. eheh no one ever gets anything its quite entertaining

[Ricer64]

Originally Posted by TBVulcan

Cetrtainly not true, but **** funny non the less!

The annual service charge billed in Feb and March is the first clue....why would any credit card bill an annual service charge two months in a row.....
You can always check snopes if this thingis making the email rounds.
Still funny!

Well, the fact is that some companies do charge two months for their annual fees before adding late fees, and they keep charging for their annual fee until they get it. (I just dropped a CC company that did that to me two years in a row but didn't bill me on the anniversary date)

So yes this is possible. Could it have been real? Do a web search. You know these things are great for doing stuff besides posting to forums and chatting in chat rooms.

Al

[jdscott74]

Some basis in truth, but probably not real...

http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/deadcard.asp

[ispeed77]

that's hilarious Carlo !

[Spok]

very good...i'm afraid it has to be true cause its so right

[CTRider]

It can't be too far from the truth. After all, my friend's dog once received a credit card offer. You have to wonder how Mr. Boots Waterson got through the system.

[Mr_Lycos]

My brother works at a Funeral Home, they have to deal with CC companies every day, and so-far all of them have been equipped to deal with a dead debtor. The debt is assumed by the estate, unless the estate has a lawyer, in which case the debt is "erased" by insurance the CC company has specifically for debtors dying on them.

[Mr_Lycos]

After all, my friend's dog once received a credit card offer. You have to wonder how Mr. Boots Waterson got through the system.

When the ultrasound showed a girl, my father bought my neice-to-be 1 share of Disney stock, just to get her portfolio started. later that week she started getting credit card offers..... before she was even born!

[Lee_2061]

Can't be true.
Citibank knows most of it's customers are deceased already.

How do they know?
Well, it's quite straightforward really. Here is what really happens. It all begins when your card is declined, even though you have plenty of credit left.

You ring the help line.

To begin with they would never acknowledge your call without an account number and a security pin code.
Get past that and you are subjected to a menu minefield like this:
To report a lost or stolen card press 0.
To activate a new card press 1
To obtain account balance press 3
To obtain a new PIN press 4
To report a change of details press *0
To apply for an additional card press 9
To make an automatic payment press 2
To speak to a consultant press 8.2
To hear these options again press # while holding down the CTRL key.
To return to the previous menu press 2 Huh??
To return to the main menu 11 Huh???

If you do manage to select the 'speak to a consultant' option you are duly notified that your call is being recorded for training purposes (training for what is anybody's guess). Then you are shown the next labyrinth of menus similar to the one above with the last 2 options missing. Tricky.

If above all expectations you escape that endless loop you are treated to the by now welcome sounds of an actual phone ringing. This is a synthesised illusion as it's interspersed with mind-numbing background music until eventually another voice cuts in politely informing you that all lines are busy (no kidding) but joys of joys, you are number 2 in the queue.

2 hours later you are awakened by a monotone feminine voice cheerfully informing that you are now number one in the queue. (hallelujah)

A day later you're tired but okay.

2 days later you're not so sure anymore. Fatigue and cramps have set in and you're hungry and haggard.

3 days later you're in limbo and you don't know anymore. Your dog has run away, the mailed is piled inside the front door and there's a swag of unanswered messages on your cell phone. You have put your life on hold while faithfully holding on that phone. Finally you're awakened from your brain fog by someone (with a fresh voice and probably sitting in a comfortable office) with a dispassionate, nondescript accent who tells you that your account is actually overdue and that "you should please not be using your card".

You ask to speak to a supervisor. After another seemingly interminable spell of illusory phone ringing and muzak, another dis-embodied voice materialises. This person calmly listens to your lengthy and detailed explanations, pauses and politely reminds you that your account is overdue and that "you should please not be using your card". It dawns on you that you have just waited 3 days to talk to an automaton.

You also realise with much distress that despite the cramp in all your limbs, your hunger and dehydration, your 4 day growth and odour, the blurred vision and the soreness of your jaw from teeth-grinding exasperation, that getting through was not the end but merely the start of your torment.

The wait has taken its toll and you crack and demand a copy of your statement. Surely that would is not asking too much. It would explain everything. You are politely asked to "re-confirm your personal details please". Then you are very politely informed that your request will be forwarded to Citibank and will take 3-5 weeks to arrive.

With that last strw, all reason is mashed out of your febrile mind as your universe collapses around you and your very existence now depends on your statement. You are livid and demand that they fax you that life-giving statement immediately. Only to be even more politely informed (if that's possible) that a fax is not likely as they are only a call centre in Calcutta and do not have your statement details anyway. It is to protect your privacy.

By now you are ready to beg on bended knees but before your tortured mind can construct a coherent protest, your call is abrubtly terminated with this polite announcement, "Thank you for your call, for account balance, please ring this number again. At the main menu, press 3".

You calmly put down the phone, stagger to the kitchen, take an overdose of mahjong tiles and stick your head in the microwave.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by Lee_2061

Can't be true.
Citibank knows most of it's customers are deceased already.

How do they know?
Well, it's quite straightforward really. Here is what really happens. It all begins when your card is declined, even though you have plenty of credit left.

You ring the help line.

To begin with they would never acknowledge your call without an account number and a security pin code.
Get past that and you are subjected to a menu minefield like this:
To report a lost or stolen card press 0.
To activate a new card press 1
To obtain account balance press 3
To obtain a new PIN press 4
To report a change of details press *0
To apply for an additional card press 9
To make an automatic payment press 2
To speak to a consultant press 8.2
To hear these options again press # while holding down the CTRL key.
To return to the previous menu press 2 Huh??
To return to the main menu 11 Huh???

If you do manage to select the 'speak to a consultant' option you are duly notified that your call is being recorded for training purposes (training for what is anybody's guess). Then you are shown the next labyrinth of menus similar to the one above with the last 2 options missing. Tricky.

If above all expectations you escape that endless loop you are treated to the by now welcome sounds of an actual phone ringing. This is a synthesised illusion as it's interspersed with mind-numbing background music until eventually another voice cuts in politely informing you that all lines are busy (no kidding) but joys of joys, you are number 2 in the queue.

2 hours later you are awakened by a monotone feminine voice cheerfully informing that you are now number one in the queue. (hallelujah)

A day later you're tired but okay.

2 days later you're not so sure anymore. Fatigue and cramps have set in and you're hungry and haggard.

3 days later you're in limbo and you don't know anymore. Your dog has run away, the mailed is piled inside the front door and there's a swag of unanswered messages on your cell phone. You have put your life on hold while faithfully holding on that phone. Finally you're awakened from your brain fog by someone (with a fresh voice and probably sitting in a comfortable office) with a dispassionate, nondescript accent who tells you that your account is actually overdue and that "you should please not be using your card".

You ask to speak to a supervisor. After another seemingly interminable spell of illusory phone ringing and muzak, another dis-embodied voice materialises. This person calmly listens to your lengthy and detailed explanations, pauses and politely reminds you that your account is overdue and that "you should please not be using your card". It dawns on you that you have just waited 3 days to talk to an automaton.

You also realise with much distress that despite the cramp in all your limbs, your hunger and dehydration, your 4 day growth and odour, the blurred vision and the soreness of your jaw from teeth-grinding exasperation, that getting through was not the end but merely the start of your torment.

The wait has taken its toll and you crack and demand a copy of your statement. Surely that would is not asking too much. It would explain everything. You are politely asked to "re-confirm your personal details please". Then you are very politely informed that your request will be forwarded to Citibank and will take 3-5 weeks to arrive.

By now all reason has been mashed out of your febrile mind and for all you know, your life might depend on your account details. You are now livid and demand that they fax you a statement immediately. You are even more politely informed (if that's possible) that a fax is not possible as they are only a call centre in Calcutta and do not have your account details anyway. It is to protect your privacy.

By now you are ready to beg onbended knees but before your tortured mind can construct a coherent protest, your call is abrubtly terminated with this polite announcement, "Thank you for your call, for account details, please ring this number again. At the main menu, press 3".

You calmly put down the phone, stagger to the kitchen, take an overdose of mahjong tiles and stick your head in the microwave.

Or you could just wait until someone steals your Mastercard info and claim none of it is your doing. Litigate endlessly and you're in the clear.

I personally choose to deal with them online - at least I know I'm never gonna get a human to interact with.

[ispeed77]

Originally Posted by Lee_2061

Can't be true.
Citibank knows most of it's customers are deceased already.

How do they know?
Well, it's quite straightforward really. Here is what really happens. It all begins when your card is declined, even though you have plenty of credit left.

You ring the help line.

To begin with they would never acknowledge your call without an account number and a security pin code.
Get past that and you are subjected to a menu minefield like this:
To report a lost or stolen card press 0.
To activate a new card press 1
To obtain account balance press 3
To obtain a new PIN press 4
To report a change of details press *0
To apply for an additional card press 9
To make an automatic payment press 2
To speak to a consultant press 8.2
To hear these options again press # while holding down the CTRL key.
To return to the previous menu press 2 Huh??
To return to the main menu 11 Huh???

If you do manage to select the 'speak to a consultant' option you are duly notified that your call is being recorded for training purposes (training for what is anybody's guess). Then you are shown the next labyrinth of menus similar to the one above with the last 2 options missing. Tricky.

If above all expectations you escape that endless loop you are treated to the by now welcome sounds of an actual phone ringing. This is a synthesised illusion as it's interspersed with mind-numbing background music until eventually another voice cuts in politely informing you that all lines are busy (no kidding) but joys of joys, you are number 2 in the queue.

2 hours later you are awakened by a monotone feminine voice cheerfully informing that you are now number one in the queue. (hallelujah)

A day later you're tired but okay.

2 days later you're not so sure anymore. Fatigue and cramps have set in and you're hungry and haggard.

3 days later you're in limbo and you don't know anymore. Your dog has run away, the mailed is piled inside the front door and there's a swag of unanswered messages on your cell phone. You have put your life on hold while faithfully holding on that phone. Finally you're awakened from your brain fog by someone (with a fresh voice and probably sitting in a comfortable office) with a dispassionate, nondescript accent who tells you that your account is actually overdue and that "you should please not be using your card".

You ask to speak to a supervisor. After another seemingly interminable spell of illusory phone ringing and muzak, another dis-embodied voice materialises. This person calmly listens to your lengthy and detailed explanations, pauses and politely reminds you that your account is overdue and that "you should please not be using your card". It dawns on you that you have just waited 3 days to talk to an automaton.

You also realise with much distress that despite the cramp in all your limbs, your hunger and dehydration, your 4 day growth and odour, the blurred vision and the soreness of your jaw from teeth-grinding exasperation, that getting through was not the end but merely the start of your torment.

The wait has taken its toll and you crack and demand a copy of your statement. Surely that would is not asking too much. It would explain everything. You are politely asked to "re-confirm your personal details please". Then you are very politely informed that your request will be forwarded to Citibank and will take 3-5 weeks to arrive.

By now all reason has been mashed out of your febrile mind and for all you know, your life might depend on your account details. You are now livid and demand that they fax you a statement immediately. You are even more politely informed (if that's possible) that a fax is not possible as they are only a call centre in Calcutta and do not have your account details anyway. It is to protect your privacy.

By now you are ready to beg onbended knees but before your tortured mind can construct a coherent protest, your call is abrubtly terminated with this polite announcement, "Thank you for your call, for account details, please ring this number again. At the main menu, press 3".

You calmly put down the phone, stagger to the kitchen, take an overdose of mahjong tiles and stick your head in the microwave.

had some run-ins with Citibank, have ya ???

[Lee_2061]

Originally Posted by ispeed77

had some run-ins with Citibank, have ya ???

No. What could possibly have made u think that?

[ispeed77]

Originally Posted by Lee_2061

No. What could possibly have made u think that?

just a hunch i guess.....

[Lee_2061]

So what r u saying David?
That I might have exaggerated just a tad?

[ispeed77]

Originally Posted by Lee_2061

So what r u saying David?
That I might have exaggerated just a tad?

um, no, i would never say that.........

[Lee_2061]

Originally Posted by CTRider

Or you could just wait until someone steals your Mastercard info and claim none of it is your doing. Litigate endlessly and you're in the clear.

I personally choose to deal with them online - at least I know I'm never gonna get a human to interact with.

Humans I can handle, it's people I can't stand.