Others appeared to describe trips no one had taken, with electronic signatures that clients said were not theirs.

The investigators did not publicize names without permission.

They contacted affected patients individually, working with the health systems and insurers under appropriate procedures.

Several families provided records showing they had driven themselves to appointments that Northbank claimed to have arranged.

One father described receiving a bill for a journey his daughter had missed because she was hospitalized.

An older woman said a company representative had told her complaining would place her medical appointments at risk.

Another family had been too frightened to challenge charges because they believed the broker controlled transportation for their child.