Most people spend at least some of their lives wondering about what their spiritual afterlife might be like. But it’s also important to think about our digital afterlife.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Cancel Your Spectrum Service
- How to Cancel a Deceased Loved One’s Spectrum Service
- Canceling Your Spectrum Service: FAQs
When we die, our bills and our contracts don’t just magically vanish. Someone has to let the companies we deal with know that we’re no longer alive to hold up our end of the bargain. That includes canceling any password-protected accounts, like cell phone and internet services.
When you start the end-of-life planning process, you might want to consider appointing an executor. The executor can wrap up any unfinished business you may have. This includes disbursing inheritance and canceling accounts. If you anticipate that you might one day have to fulfill these kinds of executor duties, this guide may help.
How to Cancel Your Spectrum Service
Spectrum is a cable and internet provider. They can provide you with high-speed internet and cable, either separately or bundled. There are many reasons why you might want to discontinue your service with them. You might be moving, or you may have decided to cut the cable cord to save some money. Whatever your reason, here is the best way to cancel your Spectrum service:
Step 1: Gather necessary information
When canceling a subscription, it’s important to know your account details. You should be able to check for it online or find it on a printed bill. If you associated a password with your account, you may need to know that.
Step 2: Call them
If you’re simply moving your account to another address, go online to the Spectrum website and see if their service is available at your new address. If it is, you can complete the moving process right online. If you’re canceling your account outright, you need to call their customer service line directly. They will likely refer you to a retention specialist who will try to convince you to stay, but ultimately they will let you cancel your account.
Step 3: Follow up
Once you’ve canceled your account, be sure to check your bank account if you have automatic payments set up. Check and make sure you didn’t get charged and ensure that your account was properly canceled.
How to Cancel a Deceased Loved One’s Spectrum Service
Canceling a Spectrum account on behalf of a deceased loved one requires very similar steps. There is a slight difference in the information you will need, though. Follow these steps if you’re canceling a Spectrum account on behalf of a loved one who has passed away.
Step 1: Gather necessary information
When you call in to cancel the account of a deceased loved one, there is certain information you’ll need. If you’re the next-of-kin or if you’re performing executor duties, this information shouldn’t be too difficult to obtain. It will include:
- The account number of the deceased (the amount of the final bill may also suffice)
- The deceased’s full name and social security number (the last four digits may be fine)
- A death certificate
Step 2: Give them a call
Spectrum has a toll-free customer service number that you can call to handle all aspects of service. This includes canceling the account of a deceased loved one. Provide the information that they ask for and ask if there’s a specific line where you should send or fax a copy of the death certificate.
Step 3: Follow up
It can be difficult to remember to verify that your own account has been canceled. It can be even more challenging when you're managing someone’s estate. You’re not as likely to check your bank account every day to make sure no extra charges are coming in. Program a calendar reminder for yourself for when the bill is typically due. Then follow up on checking the bank account to make sure the account was properly canceled.
Canceling Your Spectrum Service: FAQs
Still have questions about canceling a Spectrum account for yourself or a deceased loved one? Here are some of their most frequently asked questions that tie into the cancelation of service.
Does Spectrum charge you when you cancel their service?
Spectrum offers internet and cable packages with no contract. This means that you can cancel an account without paying an additional cancelation fee.
How long do you have to return Spectrum’s equipment?
When you use Spectrum, they generally provide you with the equipment to enable your service. This might include things like modems, receivers, and routers. Once you cancel the service, you need to return the equipment to Spectrum. They will typically provide you with a return label so you can use a service like FedEx or UPS. You can also bring equipment to a Spectrum store for return.
If you’re disabled and have mobility issues, Spectrum may assist you in picking up equipment for return. If you require that support, be sure to ask about that when you call. The return window for Spectrum equipment is typically thirty days. However, if you’re in quarantine, you may be eligible for an extended sixty-day return window.
What else happens when you cancel your Spectrum service?
As we stated above, Spectrum doesn’t have a standard cancellation fee for the cessation of service. But as of 2019, they also will no longer pro-rate your bill when you cancel a service. So if you cancel just one or two days into a new billing cycle, you will be required to pay for the full month of service. If you’re canceling several accounts for a deceased loved one, be sure to prioritize closing them to minimize extra charges like these.
Canceling Spectrum After a Loved One’s Death
When we talk about death, we often discuss the emotional toll it takes on us. We don’t always talk about the more mundane details that can accompany death, so it can leave us unprepared.
If you’ve found yourself in the position of settling a deceased loved one’s estate after death, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed by the tedious bureaucracy that comes along with it. Hopefully, this guide can help lessen your burden.
Sources
- “Customer FAQs” Spectrum.com, Spectrum, www.spectrum.com/policies/faq-page.