title: Medical identity theft in the emergency department: awareness is crucial.
abstract: Medical identity theft in the emergency department (ED) can harm numerous individuals, and many frontline healthcare providers are unaware of this growing concern. The two cases described began as typical ED encounters until red flags were discovered upon validating the patient's identity. Educating all healthcare personnel within and outside the ED regarding the subtle signs of medical identity theft and implementing institutional policies to identify these criminals will discourage further fraudulent behavior.
authors.affiliation: Lakeland Healthcare, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Joseph, Michigan.
authors.forename: Michelino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mancini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063866:Medical Identity Theft; D055815:Young Adult