Carlos M. Rojas, center, cries Tuesday after receiving $200,000 in insurance checks from Carlos G. Rojas, left, who mistakenly received them.
Posted on 03/16/2006 11:58:17 AM PST by freepatriot32
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. (March 15) - Carlos G. Rojas didn't know what to think when the military life insurance checks started showing up at his office. He didn't know anyone who would have named him a beneficiary, and the checks totaled $200,000.
He called Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, which pays death benefits to military families, and the customer service representatives insisted the money was his and he should cash the checks, he said.
Rojas couldn't do it.
"It's not like picking up a penny you just found," said Rojas, a 29-year-old marketing consultant. "Somebody's life was connected with that money."
Meanwhile, Carlos M. Rojas, 62, wondered why he had never received life insurance payments for his son, Army Pfc. Kenny Rojas, killed by a land mine in October in Iraq.
Servicemembers' Group assured him the checks were in the mail.
On Tuesday, after weeks of searching, the younger Rojas tracked down the grieving father.
"I believe this belongs to you," he said, handing him the checks.
The two men had never met but once worked in the same Miramar office building - Carlos G. Rojas for Wells Fargo Financial and Carlos M. Rojas for Comcast cable television. Carlos M. Rojas had quit his job at Comcast, though.
The checks, addressed to only "Carlos Rojas," were sent to the building because the elder Rojas had recently moved.
It took nine weeks, but Carlos G. Rojas was able to find a telephone number for the grieving father.
"I feel pretty good that somebody is honest enough to not spend the money," said Carlos M. Rojas. "This is like the last gift from my son. It's still very sad that he is not here. I cry every night."
Servicemembers' Group has spoken with the elder Rojas and will be sending him a letter of apology, spokeswoman Laurita Warner said Wednesday.
"We are investigating this situation to find out what happened and will take steps to make sure this doesn't happen again," she said.
Carlos M. Rojas, center, cries Tuesday after receiving $200,000 in insurance checks from Carlos G. Rojas, left, who mistakenly received them.
Very decent thing to do.
What a noble thing to do.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
What a good man.
Good move. I also think a letter of thanks to Carlos G. Rojas is in order. Thank you for posting this heartwarming (yet simultaneously heartbreaking) story.
I think those two men might become fast friends.
Mr. Rojas' son fought and died so that this kind of goodness can prevail.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Turning away from the troll to a happy (yet sad) story...
Integrity is doing what is right even if you are not going to be held accountable by someone else. Mr. Carlos G. Rojas will be blessed by displaying this characteristic. I am sorry to hear about Mr. Carlos M Rojas' loss, but I pray that he take solace in having raised such a fine son.
This is really not that big a deal. Eventually the mixup would have been discoverd and he would have had to return the money.
Thank you for that word. Noble is the correct word in all of this.
Ping to a great story........
This degree of honesty used to be considered a normal character trait. Now it's unusual enough to be newsworthy. May God bless both gentlemen.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Sad but noble. Thanks for the ping!
I second that motion!
Thank you! I was just thinkin' 'boutcha.
Now there's a genius of a customer service rep.
you are right in that if he had cashed the checks he would have had serious problems later, BUT the fact he went out of his way to return them is a character issue, not a legal issue. He could have just let them sit in a drawer, or marked them RTS, etc.
You do see the difference?
wow
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Been busy with the homecoming party bash for Phil, and recovering from it......it was truly awesome....someday I'll send pics. Let's talk sometime over the weekend, yes?
Well put.
Totally - but may need to raincheck until the following weekend :) (Internet issues upcoming from my undisclosed location.)
"I was defrauded in a business transaction so I wondered if there are still honest people."
Honest people sometimes just can't understand others being dishonest. Unfortunately there are lots of scumbags out there. I lost quite a sum myself because of someone I thought was a friend. I learned an important lesson from that.
"Because there's some good in this world worth fighting for..."
:-)
It reminds us once again, that God indeed moves in mysterious ways.
God Bless Kenny..and the two Carlos.
Thank you for the ping.
And your comment is perfect. :-D
The "Rojas" genetic code seems to include such personality traits as honesty, courage, and human decency.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
I agree that this is a great thing that the younger Mr. Rojas has done. As for the Servicemen's Insurance Group apology letter, I envision something like this:
Dear [ ] Mother [X] Father [ ]Wife [ ] Child
of DECEASED SERVICEMAN.
It is with the utmost sincerity and regret that we present our most personal heartfelt apologies for:
[ ] Improperly refusing your claim
[ ] Sending you a bill instead of a check
[ ] Leaving you on hold for three hours
[x] Other
Very truly yours,
Insurance Bureacrat No. XZ 3Q 27513.
Thanks for the ping ...
There are good americans out there
It would be nice if Mr Rojas could receive an avalanche of email saluting him for his integrity. The man is a modern-day hero, and one of the best.
THESE are the kinds of people our society needs to hold up in admiration. Not a bunch of two-dimensional pretty faces like George Clooney or Madonna.
From one human being to another: thank you, Mr. Rojas.
If this story doesn't make you proud that we do have folks of honor, duty, and integrity amongst us all, then it is probably safe to assume that you are a dimocrap!
BTW, the caption regarding the younger Mr. Rojas "who mistakenly received" the checks intended for the elder Mr. Rojas is inaccurate. The younger Mr. Rojas did not "mistakenly" do anything. He corrected the mistake of others.
Indeed :~D
No, no, no! You’ve got it all wrong. You’re supposed to note the Hispanic surname, question whether they belong in the country, and then rant on about illegals.
Get it straight! </sarcasm>
It's a big deal, as a lot of people would not have figured it out....also, he didn't have to personally find the man, he could of just returned to sender. Meaning, it would of taken much longer for the man to receive the money. You know how the system works. They might have even put it into a dead file and he would of never received it.
It's a very big deal...............
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
:)) I said the same thing......didn't read yours until now.....
Sarcasm or not, you're the only one injecting such tripe into a thread about integrity, courage and hope. Buzz off.
God just put down a gold star next to Mr. Carlos G. Rojas name in the book of life.
bttt!
Nice story for your ping list?
It pleases God to see some righteousness prevail in a land that is known as the home of the brave and "USED" to be known as home to many more like Carlos G. Rojas.
All's well that ends well!
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
***This is really not that big a deal. Eventually the mixup would have been discoverd and he would have had to return the money.***
Yes, you're right. But he could have shredded the checks and forgotten about it. So he STILL deserves credit for making sure the insurance company didn't just write it off as well. The ins. company, after all, had records to prove they sent the check, and the insured might NOT have told anyone that he took out the insurance. He's still a hero in my book for caring.
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