'I'm sorry sir, but you died last year'

The Evening Standard ^ | January 27, 2003 | Harriet Arkell

[MadIvan]

When John Jago phoned the social security office he felt as fit as a fiddle. It came as a surprise, therefore, when the woman at the end of the line told him he was dead.

"I'm sorry Sir, but we have got you down as dead," she said. "You died on 12 March last year."

Mr Jago, a healthy 52-year-old father of two, said: "I told her, 'Look, I'm alive, I'm talking to you. How on earth can I be dead?" It was not the first he had heard of his death. He had only called the social security office after his wife received a letter from his insurance company expressing their condolences and advising her to make a claim.

Mrs Jago called her husband at work at Stowe School, Bucks, to check he was alive and then phoned Sun Life who said social services had sent them a letter confirming the death.

She called the office in Newcastle to correct the mistake, but was also told: "I'm sorry, but your husband is dead."

After numerous calls, Mr Jago finally spoke to a sympathetic manager at his local social security office, and quickly received an apology.

Mr Jago said: "He told me there had been some confusion between me and a man in the North with a similar name."

[MadIvan]

He's probably pining for the fjords.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[chance33_98]

Dead? Tis but a scratch!

[chance33_98]

"I'm sorry Sir, but we have got you down as dead," she said. "You died on 12 March last year."

I would have replied "Excellent, make sure the IRS has that info please." BWAHAHAHAHAHA

[KeyWest]

It is a bit funny, but it is work to get alive again. The VA killed me off twice two years ago. It is surprising how easy it is to kill someone off in our new electronic world, and even more surprising is how often it happens. I waas able to get alive again in about a month, but my records were totally screwed up and that took a year to get right.

Only good thing was I was able to tell everyone that I had the pleasure of being married to a rich widow, if only for a few months.

[FreedomPoster]

Perfect commentary and picture! LOL!

[Happygal]

He shoulda made the insurance claim and enjoyed the money while he was still alive.

And seeing as he's 'dead', does that mean he doesn't have to pay taxes?

BTW...I have a friend who was never registered as being born. She only found out when she tried to get a passport when she was 23.

[Doctor Stochastic]

When will we see the Fjord Fjarlane?

[Doctor Stochastic]

This is going to be interesting when we have the National Unforgeable Uncopyable ID Card. Identity theft will be much more effective.

[lawgirl]

Thank god he got it cleared up. I envisioned a nightmare scenario in which it took him until he was old enough to collect before he was able to convince them he was who he is.

[lawgirl]

Didn't she ever get a social security card?

[Guillermo]

Doc Daneeka

[TontoKowalski]

Nonsense. The new National Unforgeable Uncopyable ID Card will be an electronic chip implanted in your left hand or your forehead.

Mark of the Beast Bump.

[Happygal]

Over here in Ireland a baptismal certificate is accepted for most everything. (We're still a good ol' Catholic country).

It was only when she went to get a birth certificate for a passport that she found out her birth had never been registered.

[JoeSixPack1]

My dad was told by the Army recruiter at the beginning of WWII that he was listed as dead, but he went on to say they would make an exception this time for the war effort and let him enlist!

Good thing too, because according to him we would have lost if he wasn't there!! :-)

[WoofDog123]

"It was only when she went to get a birth certificate for a passport that she found out her birth had never been registered.
"

How was this resolved? I would assume these days dna tests could establish parentage (if alive) and that would be the end of it, at least for citizenship issues. It would present a chance to set one's own birthday.

[Happygal]

As far as I know she had to make a deposition before the courts.

Her baptismal certificate, etc. were accepted as having her correct birthdate.

She eventually got her passport, but it was a bit of a nightmare procedure.

[lawgirl]

OH you're in Ireland. Sorry I didn't catch that. ;-D I think it's very cool that they accept a baptismal certificate! Ah, the informality must be wonderful.

[Happygal]

Ah, the informality must be wonderful

Sometimes its okay. But with the EU stifling us in red tape in practically every other area, it's not so hot. And the taxes suck! *L*

[Mr. Silverback]

At least the folks at SS didn't bang his head on the counter and scream "Polly want a cracker" in his ear.