Aurora woman accused of using false identities to obtain pensions

A 41-year-old Aurora woman faces felony charges alleging she created multiple fictional retirees in order to collect unearned pension payments.

Tisa Crawford, of the 1800 block of Cattail Circle, is charged with theft over $10,000, computer fraud, and wire fraud, said John-Erik Anderson of the Lincolnshire Police Department.

Anderson said Crawford is accused of creating Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses and bank accounts for three fake retirees in order to collect pension checks. He said Crawford created the false identities as employees of a secondary company, then requested Lincolnshire-based Aon Hewitt pay out the pensions to the fake identities.

Aon Hewitt was serving as the financial consultant for the secondary company, and was the victim because they controlled and paid out to the pensions, Anderson said.

It is unclear at this time how many other identities Crawford may have created, police said. The case remains under investigation and additional charges are pending, according to Anderson.

In all, Anderson said, Crawford is accused of unlawfully obtaining about $175,000, but that figure could rise as the investigation continues.

Crawford is free after posting $5,000 bond. She is expected to appear in court May 2.