Four suspects allegedly used the information to divert the victims' mail -- including tax refunds -- and to set up credit card accounts for their own shopping sprees, the complaint said.

One of the suspects, Ivy Johnson, worked at a Block office in White Plains between December 2000 and April 2001, prime tax-return season. She allegedly stole names, addresses, Social Security numbers and dates of birth from at least 27 customers.

Johnson and the other suspects, LaTasha Edwards-Hamlett, Catherine Pointer and Charles Griffin, allegedly used the information to open credit card accounts and divert tax checks of up to $8,000.

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