Fake Nurse Caught After Using 20 Aliases and 7 SSNs to Treat Patients Illegally Since 2020
A shocking case of medical fraud has surfaced in Pennsylvania, where a woman posing as a licensed nurse for years has finally been arrested. Shannon Nicole Womack, 39, is facing 43 criminal charges after allegedly using over 20 aliases and seven Social Security numbers to impersonate real nurses and treat vulnerable patients across multiple states.
According to a report by Pennsylvania State Police, Womack was caught during a routine traffic stop in April 2025 on Interstate 79. When officers requested identification, she provided false credentials, prompting further investigation. Authorities later discovered an elaborate scheme involving identity theft, forged documents, and unauthorized access to medical equipment and prescription drugs.
Investigators found that Womack had assumed the identities of four actual nurses from southern states and used them to secure jobs at various rehabilitation centers and nursing homes throughout Pennsylvania. Police also discovered that she had created a fake LLC and used staffing agencies to deploy herself as a nurse, even acting as her own hiring agent.
“She was securing employment by submitting fraudulent paperwork and managing her own fake host agency,” said Trooper Rocco Gagliardi in a press briefing. “It allowed her to bounce between medical facilities unchecked.”
The scam reportedly started during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when many healthcare providers were understaffed and desperate to fill shifts. Authorities say Womack exploited the situation and continued her impersonation spree for years.
A search of her vehicle uncovered multiple fake IDs, medical documents, and prescription medications belonging to various victims. She was also found with paraphernalia related to drug use.
Womack now faces charges including identity theft, forgery, possession of drug paraphernalia, and endangering the welfare of care-dependent individuals. Her bail has been set at $250,000, and her next court appearance is scheduled for July 29.
The case has sparked outrage among healthcare professionals and the public, with many calling for stricter vetting processes in the medical staffing industry.
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