<prompt> Human: So my wifes biological mother who we both dont get along with messaged me out of the blue a little while back and said she wanted to add our daughter as a beneficiary to her retirement accounts and that she needed some info from us. She just messaged me today and said she needed her full name, address, and SSN, and birthdate. I am a little skeptical of this because last time I remember filling out beneficiary forms they only wanted her first and last name and DOB. My MIL is saying that its required by the Patriot Act. Now I would normally say thanks but no thanks, but right now I am only working a temporary seasonal job and dont have anything in the way of a savings fund set up for my daughter yet. I just want to do whats best for her and I would like to possibly take the MIL up on this offer, but I dont feel comfortable giving her this info. Too many times have I seen where family members steal kids identities. That and I am afraid of her showing up uninvited to our house and causing trouble with my wife. long story short there was some drama one night a few years ago when my MIL got drunk and did some shit to my wife... What would you guys do? All I want is the best I can do for my daughter at this point.  <response>: I wouldnt give her your childs SSN. You dont get along, you dont feel comfortable with this and you fear she is going to cause trouble with your wife because of this. So dont do it.Many beneficiary forms do ask for the SSN of the beneficiary, but it doesnt mean it has to be given. It is very useful and easier for the account manager to identify the true beneficiary with a SSN, but this can also be done with other identifying information. Your mother can simply put down that her beneficiary is Grandaughters Name who is her granddaughter born on XXXXXXX. That should be enough. I have written beneficiaries down in the same way Name, Relationship to myself, and DOB and they are always accepted. 