Cancel account due to Death

**stclair49** · 11-16-2023, 03:20 PM

My younger brother just recently passed away. He had a single unlimited line and his phone was paid off. He had auto pay set up on his checking account. If the bank freezes his account and no further debits are allowed, will his phone account be cancelled after one missed payment or will they send an invoice thru the mail? Or should i just bite the bullet and plan for a full day on the phone with CS trying to get it closed?

**Serial Port** · 11-16-2023, 04:46 PM

It would probably take 2-3 bill cycles for the carrier to close the account for non-payment, but they may block service after 30 days of non-payment.

Sorry to hear about your brother.

**mframe** · 11-16-2023, 07:36 PM

Yes, sorry for your loss. I'm not sure how the issue is usually handled, but I assume they would want to see a death certificate. You could probably bring one to a store.

**stclair49** · 11-17-2023, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the replies. I will give it some time and see how it goes.

**DRC72** · 11-17-2023, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by mframe

Yes, sorry for your loss. I'm not sure how the issue is usually handled, but I assume they would want to see a death certificate. You could probably bring one to a store.

I was thinking the same thing. You could probably even email it to them. Or at the very least mail them a copy. That should pretty much close the account.

**rpz1** · 11-17-2023, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by mframe

Yes, sorry for your loss. I'm not sure how the issue is usually handled, but I assume they would want to see a death certificate. You could probably bring one to a store.

100% disagree. DO NOT send the carrier a copy of the DC. There's way to much personal info on that. The bank may need that but certainly wouldn't send a DC to a carrier. Usually just banks, financial institution, real estate etc. A utility company doesn't even need that. Just close/freeze the bank account and let the plan lapse.

**Serial Port** · 11-17-2023, 04:18 PM

When I was a CS rep for At&t from early 2001 until 2014, we never required a death certificate to cancel an account. We had a specialty "save" group who would attempt to see if the caller was willing to take over the account in their own name before canceling an account. If there was any question about validity of the caller or the account, callers would be requested to go to a retail store for assistance to confirm their photo ID.

**millept** · 11-17-2023, 06:09 PM

And there's always the method of impersonating the account holder if you have all the relevant information and PIN codes.

**stclair49** · 11-17-2023, 08:50 PM

I had a conversation with his auto insurance carrier today and she provided some interesting information. I called to cancel his insurance and she asked if i had power of attorney from him, which i don't. She then told me while i couldn't cancel the insurance, since it was set up as auto pay it would suspend next week when the payment was refused at the bank. They would call him, but since his phone is off, they would then proceed to cancel it.
I understand they have to be careful what with all of the fraud that is out there.

**blkballoon925** · 11-17-2023, 09:00 PM

I’m not an attorney, but I have relatives who are. My understanding from them is that POA no longer applies once someone passes. The executor of their estate is who would have authority to manage affairs that remain in their name.

**bmtvaquero** · 11-17-2023, 09:01 PM

Power of Attorney from a deceased person? Hmmm

**stclair49** · 11-22-2023, 08:19 PM

Tried 3 different conversations with CS, none spoke intelligible English. After trying to get them to understand the account holder had died, they all pushed to have me take over the account. I just hung up each time. His bank account shows they did ACH on the 14th, the day he died, so i have until Dec 14 to get cancelled. Maybe they will get the message when the bank won't honor the ACH.

**bobdevnul** · 11-23-2023, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by stclair49

Tried 3 different conversations with CS, none spoke intelligible English. After trying to get them to understand the account holder had died, they all pushed to have me take over the account. I just hung up each time. His bank account shows they did ACH on the 14th, the day he died, so i have until Dec 14 to get cancelled. Maybe they will get the message when the bank won't honor the ACH.

Sorry for your loss.

No living person is responsible for the liabilities of the deceased. Do not in any way indicate that you will assume liability. The liabilities of the deceased are handled by the estate/probate process through the court. The court will direct the estate executor what to pay from any available assets.

Whoever is handling the estate should make sure the bank(s) are aware of the death. That should close the account from any new transactions. If someone is a co-owner or beneficiary of the bank account they should be able to direct the bank not to accept any new transactions.

Power of attorney was mentioned. Those are no longer valid after death.

**stclair49** · 11-28-2023, 10:22 AM

4th call delivered success. I was connected, without much delay to a very well spoken young lady who got everything done in short order. Not once did she try to get me to take over the account. Since he still owed 15 of the 30 payments, she is sending a return phone kit. She emailed a prepaid shipping label, as she said they seem to have trouble with them being left out of the kit for some reason. And finally, a prorated invoice will be sent in the mail if there are any further charges due. And she apologized profusely for the problems i had in my first 3 calls.