In a message dated 4/3/02 8:57:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > I would check with Social Security to see if the second number is for a > survivor collecting benefits on the decedent's account, which is perfectly > legal. It might be an error in the SSDI as well, best to check the records > before jumping to conclusions about the legality involved. Liz- There wouldn't be a different SS number for a survivor collecting benefits--only the letter that follows the SS number would change--not the account number. Only the death of the account holder is included in the SSDI. Of course, there are several possibilities as to what could have happened--right on down to the person assuming a new identity under government auspices through the witness protection plan. Joan