Identity theft possible, details

<p>I figure I should post the details to see if anyone else has any ideas on how to help this situation. I have tried to be very very vague to not give too much identifying. Hopefully, the moderators will remove this post in a few days too.</p>

<p>Anyway, my mother-in-law contacted us a while ago (about a year ago) and asked for the kids social security numbers saying she wanted to make college funds for them. I stupidly gave her their numbers. My own grandmother and mother have taken my children’s SSN before for savings bonds and such. I KNOW nothing is going on with my grandmother and mother. However, I was surprised when, at Christmas, she never gave the kids any sort of bonds or anything, account information. I let it go figuring she had changed her mind.</p>

<p>Then, over the course of the year, MIL has commented on “investing” money in things, businesses and such. We thought these things she was talking about seemed way off, but, MIL tends to be way off. She is in her 70’s and also drinks heavily. Finally, a couple weeks ago, MIL calls and says that this guy… “Bob” (not the real name) has told her that my husband is in big serious trouble with the IRS and that “Bob” can save us, but only if my husband immediately signs over our house. (it is unclear whether she meant to her or to Bob). Now, as you know, there is a lot wrong with this picture. We have never done anything wrong, we are not being audited, the IRS is not going to swoop in and throw us out of our house, etc. Plus, DH cannot sign away our house without me signing too. MIL was very insistent that this be kept from me, that it was private. When DH tried to talk to MIL about it, she became irate and insisted Bob knows what he is doing, he has been helping her for some time (father-in-law has a stroke a while ago) and that Bob is FIL’s bes t friend and their best friend. DH tried to figure out what in all Bob has been getting MIL to do. But it sounds like these “college funds” had something to do with Bob. MIL has DH’s social security number from when he was a child.</p>

<p>I have pulled DH’s credit rating, nothing on it. For some reason, I cannot pull mine online, nor can I pulled either one of the older kids credit ratings. They say we have to call in for them. Not sure why that is, I am hoping just some sort of computer error. Maybe because I was pulling multiple credit reports from the same computer within a short period of time (so same IP address). </p>

<p>We called the IRS. We called Adult Protective Services (they were no help, they deal in caregiver abuse, like the adult not being properly physically cared for), you get the idea.</p>

<p>We are seeing NO signs on our end that nothing has been done toward us, other than MIL telling us what we have told. DH is trying to convince her to let him take her to a doctor. She won’t. We live in a large metropolitan area and have no idea who her doctor is. </p>

<p>So that is where we are at.</p>

<p>Oh, and I googled “Bob’s” name. He seems to be some sort of real estate guy. That is all I have been able to find out there. One more thing, they have a notary who will backdate things MIL says. If a notary is willing to do that (which is illegal) and it sounds like there MIGHT have been forgeries done, then, there are even bigger issues. For example, FIL, who has been incapacited from a stroke for 6-7 years now, recently redid his will. It has been signed and notorized. This is just not possible.</p>

<p>I think your husband needs to deal with his mother and her general health and mental capacity. If he has siblings, he needs to get them involved. Seniors are often the subject of scams and fraud activities. If you know who Bob is, and you have any contact info at all, report this to the police immediately.</p>

<p>You need a lawyer. Good luck.</p>

<p>So sorry you are going through this. You need a very good lawyer. Your husband and siblings if there are any, will need to get power of attorney to handle your MIL’s finances. Only then will you begin to see what damage “Bob” has done. Good luck, this sounds like a real nightmare.</p>

<p>Lawyers and police? I don’t get it! You don’t know that any crime has been committed. I do agree with thumper’s suggestion that MIL’s mental health may be the problem. In the meantime, <a href=“http://www.annualcreditreport.com%5B/url%5D”>www.annualcreditreport.com</a> allows you a free credit report from all three reporting agencies.</p>

<p>Also you may be able to notify the credit agencies of possible fraud and consider one if the credit monitoring services</p>

<p>We do actually likely needs lawyer because we are dealing with elder issues and mental capacity. We will be seeing her today and maybe hope to get more information on what kind of damage has happened, if any. She is refusing to tell my husband what else the involvement has happened. Also, we are looking in to this notary. There are laws there too.</p>

<p>Have you put a credit freeze on your families accounts?
[Deter</a>. Detect. Defend. Avoid ID Theft](<a href=“http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/credit-freeze.html]Deter”>http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/credit-freeze.html)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>But there is strong suspicion of such, with “Bob” apparently conning the MIL, the notary illegally notarizing backdated documents, and the suspiciously redone incapacitated FIL will.</p>

<p>Do whatever you can to get those missing credit reports, yours and your children。That is the first step you should do. If you cannot find anything derogative it became an issue between your H and MIL, your H should handle that. Unless it is absolutely necessary, stay out of it.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>She absolutely needs a lawyer. She is dealing with:</p>

<ol>
<li>Possible financial fraud</li>
<li>Possible identity theft</li>
<li>Elder care issues</li>
</ol>

<p>Her MILs “friend” told her MIL that H is in trouble with the IRS. Her MILs “friend” wants H to sign the house over to him. Her MIL asked for her kids SSNs. All this is to be kept secret from the OP. She needs a lawyer and the police.</p>

<p>Why are people so afraid to consult a lawyer when they have legal issues? They go to the doctor when they are sick.</p>

<p>Proud patriot is completely correct and the lawyer is exactly the route we have chosen to take.</p>

<p>So this issue sounds like it is tied in with your earlier thread?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1417979-big-financial-disaster-do-we-need-postpone-college.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1417979-big-financial-disaster-do-we-need-postpone-college.html&lt;/a&gt;
Or not?</p>

<p>Yes, the earlier thread. I think the issue there was somebody who doesn’t own your house either selling your house or mortgaging it without your permission/knowldedge. Would that be “Bill” ? Your situation sounds very difficult and complicated and you need help which you are not likely to get on this forum, especially since for good reason you are not providing complete and detailed information about your situation. good luck!</p>

<p>Yes lawyer - at worse your MIL’s estate is in bad shape and there are been some fraud issues, at best your MIL is become confused about what is going on and may or may not have agreed to something she isn’t clear about and that in itself requires a lawyer to ensure that that their future is secure.</p>

<p>Sounds like “Bill” is ripping off your MIL. It doesn’t sound as if your assets are in serious jeopardy. I think you need to calm down regarding your own finances, but go on high alert regarding your MIL.</p>

<p>I think that you should immediately contact the police where you MIL lives regarding potential elder abuse and fraud. You should also look into state-level resources where she lives.</p>

<p>Have you seen the recently “signed” will? That might give you an idea about who is looking for what. Good luck- glad you will have legal support on this situation.</p>

<p>Please have your DH go to his mom’s and review all these documents with her. Sounds like “Bob” may be engaging in undue influence, especially if the incapacitated FIL’s will has been changed.</p>

<p>OP - please call or look up online Eldercare Locator. They can help you with MIL.</p>