Four people charged in identity theft scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—A former Rhode Island Hospital security guard and three former RadioShack workers have been charged in a scheme to steal the identity of hospital patients.

A federal grand jury indictment filed Wednesday alleges Michael Bermudez obtained patients' names, dates of birth and social security numbers while working as a hospital security guard.

Bermudez, helped by three RadioShack employees, allegedly used that information to open credit card accounts and activate cell phone accounts at RadioShack stores in Providence and Cranston.

The indictment says nine patients had their identities stolen between April 2006 and this past February.

All four are charged with conspiracy and trafficking in counterfeit access devices. Bermudez, who is being held in New York on a parole violation, faces a separate charge of aggravated identity theft.