Aon Hewitt worker accused of pension fraud

Tisa Crawford

Updated: April 9, 2012 9:19PM

LINCOLNSHIRE — A 41-year-old Aurora woman has been charged with theft and computer fraud after allegedly creating fictional retirees and collecting bogus pension payments made to their accounts.

Tisa Crawford of 1897 Cattail Circle in the western suburb, was charged with theft over $10,000, computer fraud and wire fraud after she created fake people at her job as a clerk at Aon Hewitt, 4 Overpoint Drive, Lincolnshire, police said Monday.

She created the names and Social Security numbers in order to have pension payments sent to the fake people’s bank accounts. Then she would allegedly take the money for herself.

“It’s definitely going to be over $100,000 — it might even approach $200,000,” said Lincolnshire Police Investigator John-Erik Anderson of the amount of money she allegedly stole from Aon Hewitt.

Crawford initially just created one name, Social Security number and bank account, but then she may have created as many as three, he said. A client of Hewitt noticed a person being paid a pension who they did not recognize. They notified the benefits planner and Aon Hewitt officials found the alleged fraud.

Crawford had worked at the firm since 2008 and created the first fake person in 2009, Anderson said.

She posted $5,000 bond, but is expected to be facing even more charges.

She is scheduled to appear in Lake County Circuit Court on May 2 for status of attorney.