Ex wanting son's NI number

fancible

Hi. My son is 17 and shares his time between me and my ex wife. My ex has just messaged me asking for my son's NI number, but she won't tell me why she needs it.
My son doesn't know anything about it and doesn't know his number off by heart, hence her asking me for it (he is currently with her)
Normally we are very open with communication which makes it even stranger for me.
Am I being unreasonable for being a bit suspicious and hesitant to give it to her without her telling me why she wants it? I know it's her son and she is probably entitled to it, but something just feels off.

Mojisola

Have you spoken directly to your son?

If he doesn't know why his mother wants it, I would be wary as well.

At 17, he should be involved in anything she's doing that needs his personal info.

Emmia

Have you asked her why she wants it?

fancible

Emmia said:

Have you asked her why she wants it?

Yes, a few times. She won't say, which is extremely odd as she is normally open about stuff. I have asked him too and he says he doesn't know. Whether that is true or not 🤷

Marvel1

I wouldn't give it to her, if she wants it then she can give it off your son directly.

Flugelhorn

Marvel1 said:

I wouldn't give it to her, if she wants it then she can give it off your son directly.

agree - she can ask him. 

not sure what it could be used for other than her opening a savings account?

Emmia

Flugelhorn said:

Marvel1 said:

I wouldn't give it to her, if she wants it then she can give it off your son directly.

agree - she can ask him. 

not sure what it could be used for other than her opening a savings account?

So why the mystery as to why she wants it?

Flugelhorn

Emmia said:

Flugelhorn said:

Marvel1 said:

I wouldn't give it to her, if she wants it then she can give it off your son directly.

agree - she can ask him. 

not sure what it could be used for other than her opening a savings account?

So why the mystery as to why she wants it?

exactly !   .

FlorayG

Tell her it would be breaking the law to provide that sort of personal information to a third party (who knows, it might even be true) so she will need to wait until he can find it and give it to her himself. Then when he comes back to you, find out from him why she is asking, and point out that if she won't tell him then that's a good reason for not giving it. If she wants to set up some secret savings for him then there's no reason she shouldn't tell YOU about it

prowla

It might be for medical insurance, but it could be other things too.

Loza2016

My 17 year old daughter has just applied for her provisional driving licence. She was asked to provide her national insurance number during the application. Could it be this?