Police officers arrested Michael Thomas, 27, of Forth Worth on suspicion of identity theft of 160 UCI graduate and medical students. Thomas, worked for Student Resources Department of United Healthcare, in Dallas which is a company hired to manage UCIs graduate student health insurance programs.

163 identity theft reports were taken by students during the 2006-2007 school year. Thomas allegedly stole a file that contained the social security numbers of the customers. Students first noticed the theft when they tried to file their tax returns, and were told that their taxes had already been filed and refunds had been issued.

UCI has offered no interest loans to students who are due refunds and have to wait until the issue is cleared up with the IRS. In the meantime. Thomas faces one count of fraudulent use of identifying information for each victim, which could mean up to 99 years in prison.