Mods: I don't know where best to put this. Kindly move if there's a better board. Thank you.
Yesterday, something happened that really offended me. I was going through the mail, and there was this big, silver, shiny envelope from Citi, plastered across the outside "You're pre-approved" and "Secured card" to "build your credit." HUH?! I have a Citi Double Cash Mastercard and FICO scores in the 820s.
A closer look revealed that it was addressed to my mom--my deceased mom, who died eight years ago. My mother had STELLAR credit; she owned her 7-figure home outright, had an exceptional credit history, never had a late payment in her entire life, and when she died at 90 didn't owe anyone a single penny. I was outraged at this for several reasons.
One, I don't appreciate receiving mail addressed to my dead mother; it makes me sad, reminds me of when I used to bring the mail in to her and say "here's your mail, Mom!"
But, two, the envelope broadcast all over the OUTSIDE that it was for a secured card for people who need to build their credit. There was no phone number in any of the paperwork, just an invitation code and a URL to go to in order to activate the offer. So I called the only number I know for Citi, the one for my account.
I explained the situation to two separate people, one higher up than the other. They profusely apologized and were very kind and empathic; they said they wouldn't appreciate it either. I told them my mom's reputation was EXTREMELY important to her, as mine is to me, and even in death I felt compelled to protect it. They got it. They totally understood.
The question of whether she was in their system came up; I said, yes, she did have accounts at Citibank, but as part of dealing with her death, those accounts were closed, Citibank was provided copies of her death certificate, etc. So how she'd still be in there is beyond me. They really couldn't explain how this happened, but they took my mom's name and other information and submitted a report indicating what happened, and also making sure it doesn't happen again.
So there you go. I don't know if I overreacted or what, but I was very upset and felt I had to do something!
@CreditMagic7 wrote:It was odd alright and proof positive something either on Cit's end, the CRA's, or combination of both skipped past promptly submitted notifications those years ago. And what stands out to me, why until now?
I for one am very proud of the way you feel and jumped to your dear mom's defense on it with fervor.
Mistake perhaps. Apparently some Lenders, in this instance Citi, in perhaps some scramble to meet their high marketing demands quota can even mistakenly funnel data into these mindless computer machines without the proper provisions.
Thanks for your kind words. I think I did for my mom what I hope my daughter would do for me.
@dragontears wrote:I mean this in a completely FSR way.
Yes, you over reacted. My guess is that the CRA were never notified about her death so her reports show someone that hasn't used credit in 8 years making that person a good candidate for a secured card. It has nothing to do with her reputation.
You're making an excellent point, which I appreciate. Thanks for the input. 
@Anonymous wrote:Did the letter have opt out prescreen language on it? If so, somehow her information is being distributed to companies for credit marketing purposes. You can opt her out at https://www.optoutprescreen.com if so.
If it has the opt out language, maybe provide the death certificate to the credit bureaus as well. https://www.creditlawcenter.com/credit-repair/reporting-death-of-a-loved-one-to-the-credit-bureaus/ Even if it's been sent before, these companies don't seem to be as organized as they should be so it may be worth the hassle.
I still have the letter, so I'll look to see if there's an opt-out message. And thank you for the links! I didn't think I'd need anything like that eight years after Mom died, but I guess I do. I was sure that all the legalities our estate attorney took care of after Mom died would've precluded anything like this happening. Live and learn!
I think you overreacted and took it out on the Citi employees when it probably has nothing to do with their systems. A 3rd party is usually used to handle the marketing. They submit a demographic to the bureaus and receive a list of names that fit. If there's anyone that should be held accountable, it would be the bureaus for not keeping up to date records.
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:I think you overreacted and took it out on the Citi employees when it probably has nothing to do with their systems. A 3rd party is usually used to handle the marketing. They submit a demographic to the bureaus and receive a list of names that fit. If there's anyone that should be held accountable, it would be the bureaus for not keeping up to date records.
To be clear, I was not angry at the CSRs I spoke to, and they understood that.
As for demographics.... A woman who would be almost 100, and whose address is in a multi-million dollar neighborhood, likely needs help building credit? Okey-dokey!