Wife's Accounts
Date: Tue, 02/17/2009 - 10:03
My wife and I are both totally disabled. My wife is impaired by medications and is unable to tackle any kind of important issue. She can't even drive a car right now because of it.
I have been handling the phone calls from the banks. I have explained the situation to all the callers, then followed up with letters verifying the conversations. My wife has signed the letters which authorize me to discuss her accounts with the customer service reps. All have been sympathetic until today.
At about 10 AM, we received a phone call regarding my wife's account from Target Bank. I answer and go through the explanation, exactly as I do every time they call. The lady says "thank you very much" and ends the call. About an hour later, the other phone line rings (not a cell phone....our second line is our Mag*c Jack....not sure if I can mention brand names here) and the lady asks for my wife. I ask who is calling. At first, she is reluctant to tell me and says she just wants to leave a message. I tell her that my wife can't come to the phone and tell her that I assume she is a creditor's customer service agent. She tells me that she is from Target Bank. I tell her that someone had just called an hour earlier and I then went through the explanation again. She then says "I can't talk to you about this account". I remind her that my wife has, in writing, authorized me to discuss it. She says, "we can only accept a verbal authorization" and I reply "are you saying that her signature doesn't work?". She tells me that the only written authorization they would accept is a power of attorney. Otherwise, they must speak to my wife. I said "you are telling me that you are not accepting my wife's signed instructions?". Her answer was "I want to talk to her".
I don't think this is correct. Obviously,I could get the lady next door to talk on the phone. With the other banks, they ask me the basic security questions, of which I know the answers. Is this person correct, or was she just being a jerk?
If you have written authorization from your wife to discuss her
If you have written authorization from your wife to discuss her accounts, you need to forward it to them.
If your wife will be incapacitated for a long period of time, perhaps you should look into a power of attorney? Being fair to the creditors, many of them are under orders from their higher ups that they can only accept a power of attorney as proof that you are allowed to discuss your wife's accounts. So they're just telling you what they've been told.
Granted, the lady from Target Bank could have been a little nicer about it, or gone about it differently, but I honestly think she's just doing what she's been told to do.
I want to reply to the above responses. I did forward the writt
I want to reply to the above responses. I did forward the written authorization to all of our creditors, referencing the account in each letter, and I sent them certified, return receipt requested. All were received by the companies.
My wife is able to speak, and if this comes up again, I will put her on the phone briefly. However, I am concerned that the agent will try to badger her. The problem is that she is significantly impaired because of medications. She cannot drive and even has a difficult time when walking through the house. This is the reason we decided to send the authorizations in the first place. If necessary, I will have her sign a power of attorney, but that kind of thing is normally reserved for situations involving things like conservatorship.
well good luck to you and your wife, I hope her health improves
well good luck to you and your wife, I hope her health improves
We live in kansas, have a $100,00.00 equity, 800 plus credit sco
We live in kansas, have a $100,00.00 equity, 800 plus credit score, and a very solid retirement income. My wife in the past few months has not been able to sign her name. We have durable power of attorneys but I think it needs a doctor to put it in force. That's the problem, she absolutely refuses to go to the doctor. We wanted to refinance for a lower rate but are told we can't unless she can sign. Verbally she's ok. Are we the only ones in ths position? I have a $12,000. dental bill which would have been covered with the refinance and lower payments. Is there something we can do without the embarassment?
There is a separate Power of Attorney for finances. You can fin
There is a separate Power of Attorney for finances. You can find samples on the internet. I drew up one for my bipolar daughter and I've been handling her finances, paying her bills, applying for social benefits. It makes life easier to deal with creditors, her finances, etc.
I'm sure you could get your wife to somehow make a "Mark" on a power of attorney and have it witnessed and notarized. You should seek legal services or go to your county board of social services for assistance.
A durable power of attorney for finances is different than a medical one. If you wife is sick, you should probably have both of them. They take effect either upon mental incapacitation or immediately.
Quote:Originally Posted by clovisca1949...My wife is able to spe
Quote:
Originally Posted by clovisca1949 ...My wife is able to speak, and if this comes up again, I will put her on the phone briefly. However, I am concerned that the agent will try to badger her... |
That's exactly what they want to do. They don't like you, because you seem to know what you're doing. Don't humor them, in the slightest way--they're pricks and they routinely lie. Target collectors are among the most unprofessional I've delt with, second only to citi mortgage. If you feel you must allow her to speak to them, do it only on speaker phone with you there. Give her a script, stick to it and then her part of the conversation ends.
Here's my standard operating procedure for talking to Target. Pick up the phone, and ask who is calling. Ask for a last name or an employee number. Get that prior to proceding. Then, state your full name, the date and the time and that you are recording the call. 9/10 times they hang up immediately. Document how many times you have to go through this routine. Then send a letter offering whatever you need, also mentioning in it how many times you both have tried to talk to Target collectors and have been hung up on.
Make sure you actually do record all calls with Target clowns.