Many health care professionals may provide in-home care to patients in need and while this can be a fulfilling profession, it can also carry significant levels of responsibility. Care providers may strive to provide their patients with a certain standard of care and while facing allegations of insufficient care can be stressful enough as is, what happens if patients accuse their care providers of unlawful activity? A nursing assistant in Florida is facing identity theft and fraud charges after she was accused of using a patient’s information to apply for a credit card.
Investigation into a credit card bill
Authorities say they initiated the investigation after they received a call from a man with concerns about a credit card bill. He reportedly informed authorities that he recently received a bill for just over $7,000 for a credit card account in his wife’s name and states that they never applied for the account. While investigating the matter, authorities claim to have discovered that a nursing assistant who was providing his wife with in-home treatment had stolen her information and used it to apply for a credit card.
The woman stands accused of using the account to pay for personal medical procedures. While reports indicate that she denied involvement in such activity, authorities claim that she reached out to the man to try and set up some form of payment arrangement. Reports indicate that she was taken into custody soon thereafter and is now facing charges of grand theft and fraud.
What next?
No matter how it happens, facing allegations of identity theft and fraud can be a harrowing experience. With so much on the line, those who stand accused of such offenses might benefit from speaking with an attorney for guidance on his or her legal rights and options and on what to expect from this process. An attorney in Florida can evaluate every aspect of the situation a client is facing and assist in creating a strong defense for use during subsequent legal proceedings.