It’s terrible what grieving people have to go through and well done for setting up some kind of help. I also worked in finance and was able to navigate my way through the paperwork. It should have been straight forward as I had all the necessary paperwork but was it hell. If people on the other end of the phone would get on and do their work then it would have been much simpler but I was constantly on the phone trying to get them to move themselves. Everytime I rang I had to go all through everything again. One incident I had to fill in forms and send a death cert. as well as a e-mail then I had another form which had to be countersigned to prove who I was, I had to get a neighbour to do it, then still not satisfied I had a phone call and had to find my paperwork out yet again and read out the details. By this time I was running out of patience. So I made a complaint and then had a telephone call begging me to not complain. I then received a letter of apology. I must admit I didn’t have to send a Death Cert to suppliers like Electric, Gas or Water so that was something but I did for the telephone and not sure why. It took me about six months in all, now have Paypal starting when I thought it was finished with. I dread to think how some people manage.
Pat xx
Dear Sheila I think you are right about idiots being at the other end of the phone. For quite a lot of years now we started to get our electricity bill with a 3rd persons name on it. A Mr Heap who we didn’t know and as far as we knew had never lived at that address. We kept telling them and the person who came out to read our meter, who did actually do something on his hand held gadget but we still proceeded to get bills in his name. I used to say well i’ll tell you what we will let Mr. Heap pay then shall we. I still get them with his name on even now. xx
I’m with you there Sheila, can’t be bothered I change nothing if it’s running smoothly and Brian was the same. He hated change anyway. We even have our Gas and Electric on a pay meter. It was 50p meter when Brian bought this house over thirty five years ago and although they became much more streamlined with Keys and Cards he refused to pay any other way. Said he didn’t want the bother of bills. Now I find they are closing down the amount of shops you can go to to top up the cards/keys and local shops don’t top up anymore. So I have no idea where I have to go now. Let’s hope I don’t end up sitting in the dark with no heating…
Guess what… I received another e-mail from Paypal today asking me what I thought of their service regarding my notification of my bereavement. It was addressed to Brian!!! Still asking me for a Death Cert and that I can send a photo. I told them that I wanted no more contact with them and would delete any further e-mails. His card is no longer in use anyway and hasn’t been for over a year and they have been informed in writing, so that is that as far as I am concerned.
Pat xx
Sorry Janet had to smile at your mysterious Mr Heap. Let’s hope no one thinks your co-habitating with this mysterious man. But to be serious it might be safer if you put it in writing that there is no Mr Heap as far as you are concerned and make sure you keep a dated copy. Or of course you could let this Mr Heap have the sole responsibility of your bills. xxxxx
Thanks Sheila to be honest I have no idea why Paypal has suddenly started making contact as I haven’t had anything from them since before Brian died. I am going to do just as you advised and ignore any further contact and as I pointed out to them if the account is now shut down and his card is no longer in use why all the fuss about Death Certificates. I thought all this had come to an end after over a year.
Yes the Energy company did let me know that some area/shops were going to close but you never think it will be in your area as so many people use these methods of payment. It’s easy just take the card/key into a shop and put as much money on as you want to with no bills and just occasional reading of the meter for security reasons. At first this method was brought into use when people were having trouble paying their bills, now it has become a popular method of payment, now similar to a Smart meter, you can keep check of what you are using and what takes up the most electric/gas.
Afraid I don’t use the website for any form of payment even ordinary purchases as I was hacked into a year or so ago and as I don’t often use a credit card it made me very suspicious and how easy it was for someone to get access to your finances. The bank confirmed this but told me to always use a credit card, as not your money and not a Debit as this was your own money.
I believe the Post office may be the place to go but will have to check and what about elderly people that don’t live near a post office.
Love Pat xxx
There are still things that i need to do, re this parkhome…It is stipulated that every three years the exterior has to be painted, oh not ordinary paint but a specialist parkhome paint and because the exterior is not bricks and mortar that all has to be checked as well, well it never gone done last year due to not having the ready money, cost Richard near on three thousand pounds, yes you read right,£3, 000,000, as there was a gap in the side and this had to be filled and rectified, then there are the fascias, and the corners had to come off as told the wet, the rain builds up behind them, oh the joys of owing a parkhome when every three years their is outside maintenance that hads to be done, all part of the parkhome owing agreement…Then there is the upkeep of our ground, the garden, the decking, oh how i hate decking,…I now need a gardener to cut back the branches, they were swaying too close to the windows…more money outlay…
There are still things that i need to do, re this parkhome…It is stipulated that every three years the exterior has to be painted, i need to bring in a company, oh not ordinary paint but a specialist parkhome paint and because the exterior is not bricks and mortar that all has to be checked as well, well it never got done last year due to not having the ready money, cost Richard just shy of three thousand pounds our first year, yes you read right, as there was a gap in the side and this had to be filled and rectified, then there are the fascias, and the corners had to come off as told the wet, the rain builds up behind them, oh the joys of owning a parkhome, NOT, when every three years their is outside maintenance that has to be done, all part of the parkhome owing agreement…Then there is the upkeep of our ground, the garden, the decking, oh how i hate decking,…I now need a gardener to cut back the branches, they were swaying too close to the windows…more money outlay…
Blimey, Jackie, what will you do?
Yes i keep hoping mr heap will pay my bills whoever he is. I don’t think his name will ever be erased now. Alans name is still on it when i get the bill. Wonder what would happen if i refused to pay and said i will leave it for mr. Heap. Xxx
Janet…
…your mysterious Mr Heap, is going to be heaped a lot of unpaid bills…
Hi Janet, Have to agree with Sheila, this mysterious Mr Heap could cause you a lot of trouble at some time or other. That is why I suggested putting it in writing and keeping a copy that there is no Mr Heap at your address. Also agree threaten them with the ombudsman this usually makes them jump to attention. We had a problem with the gas bill. They kept sending us one when we had a pr-paid meter therefore didn’t get bills. I rang them every quarter for a year and nothing changed, then I threatened them with Ombudsman and we had no more problems. I know another problem to deal with through no fault of your own. It’s called technology… Good luck
Pat xxx
I have direct debits for all my bills. No hassle as everything comes straight out of your bank account so you can just forget about it. Most were in Alans name so I had to transfer them over. xx
Yes Jackie that is very witty xxx
Thanks for every ones concern but the council have never questioned it after all these years and I shan’t be opening anymore bank accounts. So long as he doesn’t HEAP on anymore bills hopefully I will be fine. xxx
Yes it has to be the best way and as we get older we tend to forget. My sister is an alcoholic and she used to say she kept getting letters about what she owed money for. She thought she had paid it when she hadn’t and I used to say to her you need to set up some direct debits but as far as I know she hasn’t. They are the best thing about the banking system. Janet xx
All our bills are paid by direct debit.
Have all of you noticed that there is a glimmer of humour creeping into our posts?
I suppose we have to try although if you’re all like me you don’t really feel like it. X