Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Tennessee

A friend of mine, five years ago, gave out her son's social security number to an aunt that said she wanted to make this son her beneficery. The Aunt said she had cancer and only had 2 months to live.

Now this friend is sorry she gave out her son's social # w/o consulting him. The Aunt asked my friend to please keep this confidential because she didn't want the other children to know about this until after her death. The Aunt hasn't died yet.

Now my friend is fearful she has done a terrible disservice against her son and wanted to know what I thought she should do about it. I told her I didn't think a Social # of the beneficery is needed in the making of a will.

But my question is "what should this woman do? Can this Aunt use my friends son's Social # and do harm to him? Learn his bank balance? Should she tell her son? (she said she doesn't want him to be mad at her). the son is 26 yrs. and the Mom, in her early 50's, divorsed, no supporting family members. What advice would you give me to give to her? Thanks. L. Wentworth


Asked on 1/09/10, 12:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Timothy Tull Tull Law Firm, PLLC

I would suggest she tell her son exactly what happened. He can pull his credit report and see if there has been any inappropriate activity. If not, there is not a lot to worry about. If there is, it is time to see an attorney.

He might want to consider using Debix. It is a pretty clever system that prevents anyone from taking out credit using his information without his permission. If the mother wants to do something to "make it right" she might consider paying the small fee every year to help protect him. I suggest the service to people who have concerns their ex or soon to be ex might use their credit information.

Good luck ...

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Answered on 1/17/10, 6:15 pm


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