A Valley woman, Shannon Smith, has been sentenced for stealing a woman’s identity and accumulating hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills in the victim’s name.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Smith pleaded guilty to four counts of Aggravated Taking Identity of Another, a Class Three Felony; and one count of Taking the Identity of Another, a Class Four Felony. She was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution.
Between September 2022 and March 2024, Smith used the victim’s name and personal information to receive medical care throughout The Valley. She fraudulently obtained services from various hospitals and ambulance providers, totaling nearly $300,000.
The victim became aware that her identity was stolen when she received a bill from her insurance company for services she never sought. To this day, she continues to be contacted by her insurance about the deductible for the medical care provided to Smith.
“The impact of identity theft goes far beyond the financial implications. It takes away a victim’s peace of mind and leaves them to deal with the fallout of having false information tied to their name,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “I’m proud of the work our prosecution team has done to hold the defendant accountable and allow the victim to start reclaiming her life.”
What was she treated for? IT takes time to build a case like this – no one noticed? Really? What was in it for the patient ? What was in it for the treating entity?