What's my sister-in-law up to?!

[Nickybiskit]

I wonder if anyone can shed any light on the following. Tragically my brother was killed in a car accident at the beginning of last month. He had separated from his wife and was living with a new partner so when he died his estranged wife was still his next of kin.

She has asked my nephew to ask all of my brother's immediate family for our dates of birth and our national insurance numbers for "a form" she has to fill in. I have no idea what form or why she would need the information and am very reluctant to give out this information.

I should add that things became a little strained between her and the rest of our family and she hasn't spoken to us at all since the funeral except to ask for this information.

I've wracked my brains but can't think of an answer - can anyone help?

[enaid]

Re: What's my sister-in-law up to?!

Would it not be possible to ask her or get someone else to ask?

[enquirer]

Re: What's my sister-in-law up to?!

She has asked my nephew to ask ...

A suspiciously roundabout way of doing things. As labman suggests, best grasp the nettle and confront her yourself. And even if the answer appears legitimate, confirm it.

[Bill-K]

Re: What's my sister-in-law up to?!

This is the sort of 'apparently innocuous' info that scammers use, isn't it ? I don't know how they do it, but I believe it is possible to obtain a duplicate Birth Certificate from such basic info. Armed with that, a scammer can probably apply for a passport and all sorts of other stuff, I reckon.

Unless you trust who you are giving that info to, I agree with those who say you should withold it.