I'm sorry! Please don't cry!

[Misanthropical]

I made a call tonight and a man answered the phone, so I ask for the woman named on the account.

He tells me that she was his wife and she had died on New Year's eve, while trying not to cry. He couldn't hold it and started weeping. I could tell the grief was very real and he wasn't just trying to pull a fast one.

I just kept saying how sorry I was and to forget I called. I felt so bad that I went out for a smoke after I hung up.

I can handle anything that people throw at me to get out paying their bills, except when they tell me the account holder has died and the tears of sorrow are very real.

Those tear me up and I have to take a break every time I get one, which isn't often, but when I do get them. I feel like a total jerk.

I'm sorry, guy that I talked to! I wish I could make it all better.

[Becks]

For Mis and the man she talked to-- :comforting pats: there, there™®

[tropicsgoddess]

I used to do cold calls back in the day, so I know how you feel, Misanthropical.

[texasbelle5]

Call me cynical, but I would check local obits in their town.

[Tuxian]

I believe that Mis does calls for a collections agency, and thus, she's just basically told "Hey, call this number and ask for this person, they owe company X $ABC amount, and get them to pay if you can."

I don't think she really has the ability to check obits and such.

[MystyGlyttyr]

Yeah, I kind of understand the feeling. If we get obituaries from funeral homes we don't know, or if people bring them in because the body has been donated to science or some other reason a funeral home wasn't involved, we have to call someone, either a mortician, or the science foundation, to verify the death with.

It's kinda rough having to tell obviously grief-stricken relatives that we can't just take their word for it about their relative, that we need independent proof. But if it weren't for sick dickheads who actually try to send us fake obituaries (this wasn't us, but it's a classic case... http://www.kokomotribune.com/weird/l...secondarystory ) then we wouldn't have to do it.

I can totally sympathize with what you're feeling. It does get easier eventually, but I would take it as a plus...you're obviously a kind, caring person who hates to hurt others (at least when they don't rightly deserve it). Keep that in mind

[Misanthropical]

I had a lady tonight who paid her deceased father's bill. She was telling me about what a great guy her father was, but broke down crying. I went on break after that call.

When we are told the person owing is deceased, it goes to another dept for verification.