RALEIGH -- The state Department of Health and Human Services said this week that Medicaid cards for nearly 50,000 North Carolina children were sent to the wrong addresses. Attorney General Roy Cooper issued a warning, Tuesday, to those who may receive someone else's card in their mailbox: misusing a Medicaid benefit card is a felony.

According to Cooper, "We do prosecute these crimes. We do prosecute Medicaid fraud. And if someone misuses a Medicaid card, we will be investigating and certainly taking action."

Families whose Medicaid cards were sent to the wrong addresses by DHHS can take steps to guard against possible identity theft and health care fraud. Those tips are available at ncdoj.gov.