Closing loyalty card account on the death of owner

Mee

Hello!

I just wish to get a view and possibly some pointers from MSE bods.
 
I recently tried to close a number of loyalty cards belonging to a parent after their death. All was going well until I web chatted with one and they asked for a scanned copy of the death certificate. I refused as I felt it was intrusive and I had no idea what country they resided. I contacted the executive office of the loyal card and they confirmed they wanted to see for data protection purposes not only a scanned copy of the death certificate, but the PoA.
 I pointed out the former was intrusive and the latter irrelevant and data protection applies to 'living individuals'.

I could redact the death certificate of sensitive information, but I feel this is over the top request for closing a loyalty card account.

JGB1955

Presumably they need to ensure that someone isn't 'maliciously' attempting to close the account.  A death certificate is a public document, so I would have no issues with providing them with a photocopy. 

tastyhog

Pretty common for places to ask for the death certificate or power of attorney. 

You could be anybody.

But why bother closing down a loyalty card, it'll cancel itself when not used for a number of months 

mikb

tastyhog said:

But why bother closing down a loyalty card, it'll cancel itself when not used for a number of months 

Neatness and order. Closure (literally and figuratively). An end to random "Hey, you haven't shopped in a while Mr X -- why not come into store?" inappropriate advertising etc. over the next 12 months ... many good reasons.

In my case, Tesco (Clubcard) offered to transfer remaining unused CC points/balance to _my_ card, rather than just wiping them on closure of account. As a non-clubcard holder, there was nowhere to transfer them to, but I appreciated the offer.

mikb

Mee said:

I could redact the death certificate of sensitive information, but I feel this is over the top request for closing a loyalty card account.

Some companies make it easy -- which is good for you, but open to abuse by others. Other companies follow tighter procedures which is extra work for you, but protects customers. You never know which you'll get until you have to go through it ...

The death certificate is needed to prove the person genuinely _has_ died. The PoA, Grant of Probate etc. is to prove that _you_ have the right to act on behalf of the deceased. If they need both, redacting details may well make them reject the document.

sarah1972

I had to recently do this after my grandfather died. 

POA is irrelevant and should never be asked for after death. 

I did, however have to send death certificate and copy of the will showing that I was executor which is a perfectly reasonable request as you could be anyone calling up and saying someone had died. ie a broken relationship could have a malicious person doing exactly that.

Mee

Thank you to all for sharing your experiences and advice. 
I've decided not to chase the matter with Sainsury's as I think the request for a PoA is a step too far.

sarah1972

Mee said:

Thank you to for sharing your experiences and advice. 
I've decided not to chase the matter with Sainsury's as I think the request for a PoA is a step too far.

The POA is not valid, how did they answer that when you informed them that? 

Mee

sarah1972 said:

Mee said:

Thank you to all for sharing your experiences and advice. 
I've decided not to chase the matter with Sainsury's as I think the request for a PoA is a step too far.

The POA is not valid, how did they answer that when you informed them that? 

The last reply I received:

"Whilst I appreciate your frustration and I do apologise, but our procedures require us to request this information for Data Protection purposes. Without this information we are unable to help." 

sarah1972

Mee said:

sarah1972 said:

Mee said:

Thank you to for sharing your experiences and advice. 
I've decided not to chase the matter with Sainsury's as I think the request for a PoA is a step too far.

The POA is not valid, how did they answer that when you informed them that? 

The last reply I received:

"Whilst I appreciate your frustration and I do apologise, but our procedures require us to request this information for Data Protection purposes. Without this information we are unable to help." 

Absolute Madness x