Posted in GD but here also ...

[live love laugh]

I am not sure when they disappeared but it’s apparent that the consumer protections no longer exist.

Today I attempted to call Whirlpool to renew the service plan on my refrigerator. The call rang and rang then I got a voice prompt and was put on hold then the call appeared to be answered and was dropped. I called two more times ... the last call someone picked up and I could hear them carrying on a conversation with someone else but they never responded to me on the phone. I eventually hung up. I am resigned to buying a service plan from a non-whirlpool vendor. Their loss.

Mom’s Social Security is deposited to a direct express card from Commenity bank. She also pays life insurance to AIG (the worst...seems there’s been a change of ownership in the past few years). AIG will not accept payment by debit or credit card—only via EFT (electronic funds transfer) which of course requires a bank routing number; or money order or check (ludicrous in this day and age in the middle of a pandemic).
In attempting to get a dedicated checking account with minimal funds set up so that a routing number can be provided to AIG for EFT I’ve run into all kinds of road blocks.

Commenity refuses to provide an account number so EFT is impossible. Reaching a human being there is also impossible—you’re basically put hold for infinity. Without both a routing and account number I can’t redirect mom‘s Social Security check to the dedicated checking account.

Even worse I cannot stop Comenity from getting the social security direct deposit! Social Security requires the routing and account numbers to be provided online to change direct deposits. So basically Commenity is holding her money hostage. And she’s not alone I learned after reading online reviews.

Then there is TX-based AIG who keeps sending threatening letters that her premium, which is current, will be canceled in 4 mos. This is the second time they’ve sent this letter though she’s been paying the policy timely for over a decade. I was just able to have them send a written statement listing all payments thru October and it looks like I will have to again.

I post this for three reasons:
- one: I want the name of the shysters known so that the word can be spread;
- two: I’m sure there are other elderly people being preyed upon and hope that this may help someone to avoid becoming a victim;
- and finally: I wonder if others may have experience or advice.

I abbreviated this but there’s more. Many companies also seem to be using the pandemic as an excuse for shoddy service as well. It sucks. Anybody else seeing this?

[SheltieLover]

1. Everywhere I turn

Infuriating!

[Midnight Writer]

2. Most Customer Service call centers are not there to solve the customer's problem.

They exist so the company can claim to have a customer service "hotline".

It is, to many companies, a gimmick. A selling point.

They out source it to an unconnected business whose operators don't give a shit.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. She has no checking account?

Open one somewhere else besides Comenity. It might be trickier these days than it used to be, depending on whether or not bank lobbies are open where you are. But open one at some other bank.

[live love laugh]

4. Thanks. I finally resolved it. I thought the social security offices were closed but was able to

reach them by phone and the agent did whatever paperwork is required -- it’s pending -- to redirect everything.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Glad to hear!

My own experiences with SS have been good, although I haven't needed to make the kind of change you just did.

[question everything]

6. May I ask why she has life insurance?

Does she have dependents?

Some years back when it was time to renew our term life insurance, and by then we moved to a different state and had to find a new agent, he suggested to drop life insurance and get long term one.

[live love laugh]

7. Good question. She has no dependents. I'll have to have her revisit the need for it. Thanks. nt