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My grandparents have been living with my brother and sister in law in California for a few years now. She offered to hold their important documents but now she won't give them their social security cards or numbers. We have strong suspicions that she might have sold the numbers to commit identity fraud. I live in Colorado can I call the police? Should I contact the Social Security Administration?

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Do the grandparents have Alz or dementia symptoms? Have they had trouble with their finances in past, like running up credit cards beyond tbeir means? Need more info......there may be good reason to keep their SS# hidden, for their own protection. The fact they live with brother & SIL instead of on their own, makes me think they cannot handle things on their own, and perhaps its for their own protection. Realize, if you call Adult Protective Services, without a real problem, it might sour your relationship, or maybe it won't. Sometimes if there is a strong enough suspicion, that is worth the risk.
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My first thought chimes with everyone else's - that it would be far more likely that your SIL is protecting your grandparents by doing this (if, indeed, as Babalou points out, she is doing it at all). How did you get to hear about it?
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What are the grounds for your strong suspicions? And if someone is using the IDs fraudulently wouldn't that be a real hassle for their caregivers? It is hard to envision your SIL and Bro coming out ahead on this scheme.

But if you have evidence as well as suspicions, then looking into it further makes sense.
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We do not let mom have a checkbook or medicare ID cards. Her dementia is too far gone for that. Unless you are willing to care for them yourself, maybe you should step back and leave well enough alone.
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I agree with Babalou. Call your relative first to feel out what's going on. If it still sounds fishy, you have to call the Social Security Administration to report it. They can do further investigating if need be.
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Who is reporting this to you? Are the grandparents suffering from any sort of cognitive impairment? If this story is what your grandparents are telling you, I'd make very certain that there isn't a much more benign explanation for what is being reported to you. Very often, caregivers get accused of all sorts of awful things by elders, who, intentionally or not, stir the pot of family drama. Maybe give a friendly call first to hear her side before you call the cops .
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Do they have their Medicare cards? Their ID number on the card is their social security numbers.
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