:angryfire I received a call the other day from a collection agency regarding an employee (LPN). To make a long story short-The collection agency had called this LPN the previous day and the LPN had them talk to "CUBBY" RN Shift supervisor. I did not talk with this person.but they did talk with someone who identified themselves as "CUBBY." There are faxes with my name on them, in regards to this situation and I found out from the collection agency that they do have a tape of this conversation.
I realize in the grand scheme of things this is not a big deal. I have worked damn hard to get and to keep my license. I do not take lightly to anyone using my name for anything that I am not aware of. I make enough boo-boos on my own-I do not need anyone elses help
My question to all of you is-would you persue this with an Attorney?
Or am I being petty? I do not like this LPN and I am wondering if my opinion of this person is clouding my judgement.
I would be furious also, but I don't know what an attorney or the police would be able to do. Maybe you could report her to the BON for impersonating an RN, but actually, I think she was impersonating a 'supervisor' who just happened to be an RN. I definitely would report her up the chain of command at your facility.
Maybe I misunderstood what happened. What I understand is that an certain LPN got a personal call from a collection agency. She put another LPN on the phone to pretend to be her supervisor. 'Cubby' is the supervisor, and discovered the phony call when the collection agency called a second time and specifically asked for 'Cubby'.
As I see it, both LPNs lied, and unless they are lying to cover up a legal issue, or have taken an oath as a witness, it probably is not a legal problem.
What did the collection agency want in the 'second' conversation with the supervisor? If the LPN who impersonated you promised to pay money, gave them your credit card number, or in some way made you vulnerable, the police would be interested. If the collection agency was verifying employment or salary in an effort to pursue the LPN, then you have no damages (unless you can prove that it made you so angry you had a stroke or something).
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
I would gather all of any evidence you can find how your identity has been used and correct it on spot with any agency that has been duped and request a meeting with your work human resource director and/or your corporate compliance officer presenting this information at the very least. I would contact an attorney to discuss this case regarding further legal steps that you may need to take, especially if damage to your identity has been done. Next, I would file a complaint with the board. If she has done it to you, what's to say she hasn't done the same lifting an identity from a patient, having access to patient records. Is drug use by this nurse or a loved one an issue?
I tend to think it is a legal problem. If there is a collection agency calling this person it is already on the way to becoming a legal problem that "cubby" is going to get pulled into by even discussing anything with this agency on the phone. Although you werent actually the person who they talked to you have no way of knowing what was said the first time, therefore, could be called into court when and if this person ends up there with the collection agency. If they taped the conversation you would have to have a lawyer to even get a copy of the transcript of the phone call due to privacy laws.
I also tend to think she needs to lose her job. If she is having someone impersonate a supervisor she most likely is forging paperwork, misrepresenting herself or others in her practice. This definately warrents follow up by police, your lawyer and the facility she works at.
There are faxes with my name on them, in regards to this situation and I found out from the collection agency that they do have a tape of this conversation.
That is the kicker, though....she forged (in essence) the OP's name on documents.
I would let the hospital know first, then I would do as the other poster said and save yourmoney by going directly to the police.
Of course.....your hospital may want to keep it "quiet." I don't know.
But I would definitely report her to the BON and try to find out where else she had forged my name.....
Being a victim of fraud and collection agencies trying to hunt me down for bills, etc. that aren't even mine, I would say pursue this for sure. Sadly, crediting ratings, equifax, etc. are such a joke.. if I was looked up it would currently show that I'm some jerk that doesn't pay their bills, yet everyone who personally knows me, know that I'm a person of integrity and these bogus credit ratings, etc., reflect the opposite of who I actually am (that's all in the process of getting resolved with an attorney for me right now) so yes, please, don't risk your hard work..
I would be furious also, but I don't know what an attorney or the police would be able to do. Maybe you could report her to the BON for impersonating an RN, but actually, I think she was impersonating a 'supervisor' who just happened to be an RN. I definitely would report her up the chain of command at your facility.
Maybe I misunderstood what happened. What I understand is that an certain LPN got a personal call from a collection agency. She put another LPN on the phone to pretend to be her supervisor. 'Cubby' is the supervisor, and discovered the phony call when the collection agency called a second time and specifically asked for 'Cubby'.
As I see it, both LPNs lied, and unless they are lying to cover up a legal issue, or have taken an oath as a witness, it probably is not a legal problem.
What did the collection agency want in the 'second' conversation with the supervisor? If the LPN who impersonated you promised to pay money, gave them your credit card number, or in some way made you vulnerable, the police would be interested. If the collection agency was verifying employment or salary in an effort to pursue the LPN, then you have no damages (unless you can prove that it made you so angry you had a stroke or something).
Or did I totally misunderstand what happened?
Nope, you nailed it on the head. I am glad I got your response, cause I was thinking that no one, except for the BON, would be interested in persuing this.
Nope, you nailed it on the head. I am glad I got your response, cause I was thinking that no one, except for the BON, would be interested in persuing this.
Thanks to all of you for your time and responses.
Wow was that handled wrong.Its illegal to pursue a person at their place of employment for collections.One of the CNA's at a retirement center where I was working got a visit from a collections agency and I met the person at the desk and told him that this was her job and it was being compromised by his presence and that it was harrassment and punishable by law.He left and never came or called again.So if the Lpn had known her legal rights she could have stopped the calls at work in the first place.JMHO....ddc
laughing weasel
227 Posts
Call the police and stop her from doing this again. If you do not report it to the police then you might be liable for some of her actions.