Help? from the SSA

Yesterday, I tried to help my mother in law change banks. The bank part was easy. We got great assistance from both banks. They understood her needs. She is handicapped, and at 80 deserves to have a few conveniences.

The hard part was Social Security. I don't think I have had to deal with a more rude person than Sandy, my agent "there to assist me". From the onset, she was on the attack. When she asked the purpose of my call, I answered that I was calling to assist my mother in law with changing banks, and part of that was changing her direct deposit. I guess she thought I was trying to steal mother's money, because she immediately increased her abusiveness.

She asked if I had filled out any forms. You could feel the snarl, impatience and doubt in her voice. I informed her that I had paperwork to show that I had mother's power of attorney. I further stated that I was primarily looking for instruction.

Sandy then asked "Did you bring her into the office and file paperwork to show you on her account???". Well, when we moved mother here, we took her to a lot of places to set things up, and I couldn't remember if Phyllis had taken her to Social Security, and I told Sandy that. "You took her to a LOT of places?" She wasn't listening or didn't understand, and now I was getting impatient.

"Could you look at her file and see if I am listed?" "Number!" I told her mother's SSN. "No, YOURS." At this point, frustrated, I said "You are being very rude. I am trying to help an 80 year old who can not hear. I waited on hold for a long ti...." "Then go online!" Click.

Sounds like instruction to forge a document to me.