Fraudsters Bank Half a Million Dollars Using Stolen Patient IDs and the IRS

A couple allegedly cribbed the identities of hundreds of patients at two Detroit hospitals to illegally file tax refunds, according to the Justice Department.

Markitta Washington is accused of stealing patient records while working at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and DMC Harper Hospital, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Washington and Martez Lear who is currently in prison for gun-related offenses, lived together in Farmington Hills at the time of the crimes.

In January, authorities searched their house and found a stash of bank records, credit cards, "stacks of hospital patient records" and handwritten notes that included individuals' names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, the indictment said. Police also recovered counterfeit and re-encoded credit cards and gifts cards at the home.

At least 305 of the ID theft victims had false tax returns filed in their names. Most of the refunds were sent using prepaid debit cards.

"Criminals should know that while technology has made it easier than ever for them to commit identify fraud, technology is also making it easier for law enforcement to catch them," U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said.