Woman uses stolen identity to rack up $300K in medical charges, AZ officials say
A woman accused of racking up nearly $300,000 in medical charges in another woman’s name is heading to prison, Arizona prosecutors said.
Shannon Smith, 48, was sentenced to 8.5 years behind bars after pleading guilty to one count of taking the identity of another and four counts of aggravated taking the identity of another, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said in a May 22 news release.
Smith also was ordered to pay restitution, prosecutors said.
McClatchy News couldn’t immediately reach her attorney May 22 for comment.
Smith is accused of stealing the other woman’s identity and using it to receive nearly $300,000 in medical care between September 2022 and March 2024, prosecutors said.
That included hospital and ambulance services, according to prosecutors.
“The victim became aware that her identity was stolen when she received a bill from her insurance company for services she never sought,” prosecutors said. “To this day, she continues to be contacted by her insurance about the deductible for the medical care provided to Smith.”
Prosecutors didn’t detail how, or if, Smith knew the woman.
Maricopa County includes Phoenix.
This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Woman uses stolen identity to rack up $300K in medical charges, AZ officials say."
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