BELFAST, Maine — A 37-year-old Fairfield woman who worked at a Unity health care clinic is free on bail after police said she stole credit card information from patients and used it to make purchases.
Heidi Tirado was arrested Friday and charged with felony theft, according to a news release from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office. Tirado was taken to the Waldo County Correctional Center and later freed on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Tirado worked as a receptionist for Inland Family Care, previously known as New Horizon’s Health Care Facility, in Unity. The clinic is affiliated with Inland Hospital in Waterville.
A hospital spokeswoman said that the organization is contacting patients to make them aware of the situation and urging them to check their credit and debit card statements.
“This is a difficult time. We’re sad and shocked that one of our own would violate the trust of patients,” said Sara Dyer, the director of community relations for Inland Hospital.
The investigation began two days earlier when the sheriff’s office received a complaint from a Troy resident who said an unauthorized charge had been made on the person’s bank debit card. The complaint was assigned to Deputy Dan Thompson, who was assisted by Detective Dale Brown.
The investigation revealed that Tirado had obtained credit and debit card information from several patients and had used the information to apply for credit and make online purchases totaling more than $1,000.
Lt. Trundy said the investigation indicates four patients were affected but that the number could increase as the investigation continues.
Dyer said all departments within Inland are reviewing their procedures to make whatever changes are necessary to see that this type of misconduct does not again occur.