A Florida nurse has been accused of stealing the identity of an 88-year-old Alzheimer’s patient in order to pay for over $7,000 in cosmetic surgery. Tiffany Acuna, a 31-year-old licenced in-home nursing aide, faces fraud and grand theft charges. To finance the expense of the treatment, she reportedly obtained a credit card in the patient’s name. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation on April 4 when the victim, from Deltona, got a credit card bill for $7,160.11 in the mail. The charge was for a credit card that no one had signed up for, according to the woman’s husband.
The transaction was made on November 1, 2022, for various cosmetic operations at Moon Plastic Surgery, according to investigators. Acuna, also known as Tiffany Kent, was the customer, according to authorities. Acuna worked as a nurse with American In-Home Care until she was fired on April 4, according to the sheriff’s office.
When police contacted Acuna, she denied enrolling for a credit card in the victim’s name and stated that she had never had cosmetic surgery. Later, she contacted the patient’s husband, “requesting a meeting to set up a repayment plan.” She arrived at the victim’s home with $1,500 in cash and a loan agreement document, according to police, but deputies were waiting to take her into arrest. She informed detectives of the
Acuna was charged with grand theft and unauthorised use of an identification card without the agreement of a victim aged 60 or over. She was detained at the Volusia County Branch Jail on Thursday and released after posting $10,000 bond.
Identity theft is a severe crime with long-term consequences for victims. After someone steals your identity, it can take years to clear your name and restore your credit. In this case, the victim was an old woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who may not have realised her identity had been taken. It is critical to be diligent in preserving your personal information and to promptly report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities.
It is also a good idea to check your credit record on a regular basis for any unauthorised activity. AnnualCreditReport.com allows you to obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three main credit reporting agencies once a year. If you find anything unusual, immediately contact the creditor or lender to dispute the charges.
To summarise, identity theft is a severe crime with terrible repercussions for victims. It is critical to take precautions to secure your personal information and to promptly report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities. If you have been the victim of identity theft, you may take actions to protect yourself and repair your credit. When it comes to identity theft, remember that prevention is vital.
