So if this is known, Why is some un named family member exploiting this?
A lot of folks don’t know about the Social Security Death Index and its usefulness as a place to check whether someone you’ve lost touch with long ago is still alive.
Even if you know about it, there are a few places online that only “tease” you with it and don’t give any details, unless you ante up some money.
Donald L is also certainly not as definitive as Donald Lee, especially with a last name like Thomas. There have to be quite a few Donald Thomases out there.
Only one Donald L Thomas, though, had a social security card issued in Georgia, and passed away in Georgia during the past 10 years. And that Donald L. Thomas had a date of birth close to that of Mrs. Thomas’ son.
My gut feeling is that it’s probably him. But again, I don’t know for sure.