Identity of beneficiaries

Errata

The reason I suggested it was I received something very similar some time ago, responded and was very happy when I received a small inheritiance I had absolutely no expectation of.
It's also the kind of information someone doing family history might write to someone about.

EdInvestor

Mojisola wrote: »

If I received a letter from a stranger asking for all this information, it would go straight into the bin! I would be worried about identity theft.

I wouldn't, if it was in the context of the death of a relative who might have left me something in the will.I would straightaway check on this by calling up family members who would know.

Primrose

How about something on the following lines:

Following the recent death of my mother, Anne Jones, I am trying to trace ABC and XYZ who were last known to be living at 1 Green Street, XXX in connection with the settlement of her affairs. As some time has elapsed since my last contact, I am unsure whether these addresses are still current.

If you are not one of the individuals involved I would appreciate your letting me know if you have a current address for them.

If you are one of the individuals involved, I would appreciate your writing to me, providing some form of identification such a photocopy of your passport, or other identity documentation when I will be happy to explain my reason for my enquiry."

This doesn't say that money might be coming to them but the recipients can hazard a guess and will hopefully repond, one way or the other.

Mojisola

sloughflint wrote: »

But none of that particular info was about them.

But with that information I could find that person's birth registration and buy their birth certificate. I would then be well on the way to taking their identity.

Biggles

Thanks for all the advice.

My brother has managed to make telephone contact with one, and got contact details for the other, so hopefully we should be sorted.

Still curious as to what solicitors would do in the circumstances, though......

Errata

Still curious as to what solicitors would do in the circumstances, though......

In my case a letter from the solicitors asking me to confirm who I am with supporting evidence.

Robert_Sterling_3

Errata wrote: »

You could write to them saying you're writing in connection with a legal matter and to make sure they're who you think they are you'd be grateful if they could confirm their parents names, mothers maiden name, dates of borth for both, their grandparents names and places of residence for them all - town and county - in the UK.

It looks as if you are hoping to open a bank account in their name.