Detectives Arrest Woman who Stole Identity

BAKERSFIELD — A police investigation into fraudulent medical bills has led to the arrest of a 39-year-old Bakersfield woman who defrauded a woman of approximately $14,000.

On July 24, 2013, Kern County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Deborah Nichols for one count of grand theft and one count of identity theft.

Nichols is accused of tricking the victim into believing she owed her over $9,000 for unpaid medical bills.

According to police, the victim provided Nichols with her banking information to pay for the bills, which the suspect then used to withdraw money from the victims personal bank account.

Investigators said Nichols then used the victim’s personal identification information to establish multiple credit cards accounts in the victim’s name, which she then used to make various purchases.

Nichols was booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Central Receiving Facility, and her bail was set at $70,000.

Abc23- Woman Arrested Wednesday for Stealing Identity, $14,000, Kern County Sheriff’s Office Said

The Bakersfield Californian- Suspect Arrested on Suspicion of Identity Theft, Grand Theft