Clifton Park, NY asked in Identity Theft and Social Security for New York

Q: Should papers with a persons SSN be destroyed even if they have passed on long ago?

I found a quantity papers relating to my grandparents. I assume old utility bills and store receipts may be discarded for recycling. However, many papers are tax returns or letters of communication with Social Security . Could these be used for identity theft even though the people involved have been dead for decades? I wanted to ask what is the best course of action to take in disposing of these documents - destroy, or no harm in placing the the paper recycling bin?

2 Lawyer Answers
Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
Answered
  • New York, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: There is no harm. They are marked as deceased on credit reports and social security.

Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer

1 user found this answer helpful

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
Answered
  • Little Neck, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: Yes. Unfortunately, the credentials of the deceased are also targeted in the realm of identity theft.

Tim Akpinar

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