ULPT: Finding my mom's SSN for life insurance

Posted by Travelogue44@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 27 comments

So. My mom died about 9 years ago under sketchy circumstances. At the time of her death, she was in an abusive marriage and the husband kept all the records from my siblings and I. We lost so much to him...

Fast forward: a few weeks ago, her employer-based life insurance plan contacted me to say there are unclaimed funds from her life insurance plan.

In order to verify I am my mother's child, the insurer is requiring I provide the last 4 of her social security number. However, that info is currently lost to my siblings/living father.

Is there any way I can find out those damn digits? It would be really cool if something good came of this horrendous shit show/trauma (not to mention, I'm broke AF).

thanks for any suggestions!

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Jaded_Care_5606@reddit

While this may be legit- be careful of scams! I feel like a legit business matter would need more than just her last 4 digits...like proof of relationship (yours & hers birth records), death certificate, full ssn for you & her, notaries... idk what...What I DEF would NOT be doing is giving all that info away to someone without verifying the validity of the requester in the 1st place.

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MNWNM@reddit

When each of my parents died, their respective insurance companies also required a copy of the obituary, along with their death certificates and a copy of my driver's license. I honestly don't remember if I had to provide any part of my SSN.

Also, just because there's unclaimed funds doesn't mean OP would automatically get them. They'd need to be listed as a beneficiary. If they're not, they wouldn't get them.

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zLampShade@reddit

OP should google the life insurance policy and call that number directly not the number that called them.

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Travelogue44@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the tips, y'all. It's a Kaiser plan provided through Vanguard. I did call them today and it seemed legit, but I'll definitely be on guard for more flags along the way.

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Purlz1st@reddit

Kaiser has legitimate benefits centers. Are you talking to them?

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zLampShade@reddit

You called a number you google right and not the number that called you? As long as you're making sure you're not being scammed.

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Travelogue44@reddit (OP)

Nobody called me, it was on a letter that came to my home address. I'll definitely reverse engineer it to verify.

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Rhinestone_Cryboy@reddit

My first thought was that after 9 years the money would have long been handed over to the state through the escheatment process. Most states the time period is only 2-3 years before the unclaimed property must be turned over to the state. At which point you’d be able to search your state database to claim your unclaimed property. Just something else to keep in mind, OP.

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