Widowed - do IFAs really sink this low?

vikinggreen

OK, I can now clear this one up. I checked with both the Registrars and Probate, and there was no possible leak from either at this point in time. Death certificates do not become public for two years after issue, and Probate remains confidential until the will is proved, which is some weeks away.

While on the phone to both of those lovely, kind and helpful people I received an email from the IFA company explaining what had happened.

In late July (very shortly after my dad's death) they bought a mailing list that targeted the sort of people they wished to attend their seminar, and each address had only one name attached to it. My mum's name preceded my dad's alphabetically, so the invitation was addressed to her.

They were very deeply apologetic for all the distress the letter had caused. They have removed my mum from their own records and also asked the mailing list supplier to do the same.

It was simply a very unfortunate coincidence. I sense that it sent shudders down their spines, but there was nothing they could have done to prevent this happening. IFAs have every right to mail potentially well-off elderly people, but this juxtaposition of events is always a possibility, however faint.

Thanks for your support everyone - all's well that ends well.

macman

I'd take the free lunch as compensation...

rdwarr

vikinggreen wrote: »

Do IFAs really sink as low as to hunt through recent death registrations to find customers? Or have I missed something?

Mine was on the phone quick enough after my first wife died. Used exactly the opposite logic to the one he used when she was alive to try and sell me more products. I managed OK without.