NYU dental school workers Joel Scott and James Giscombe Jr. busted in identity-theft operation for steal >$100K

Trying to get information on a credit card scam at NYU’s Dental School was like pulling teeth.

A marijuana bust led police to uncover a massive identity theft operation that officials at the prestigious university tried to hush up, law enforcement sources told The Post.

Joel Scott and James Giscombe Jr., who work with patients treated at the school, were busted last summer for allegedly lifting credit card information from more than 350 victims using a mini card skimmer.

Joel Scott and James Giscombe Jr., went on $100K shopping spree

They allegedly opened credit card accounts with it and went on shopping sprees totaling about $100,000.

Scott, 24 and Giscombe, 31, were allegedly seen on video surveillance using the stolen cards to purchase Long Island Railroad and Metro North tickets, which authorities said they sold to their buddies for half price, sources said.

They are also accused of selling some of the stolen information to other scammers across the country.

Despite receiving several complaints from victims, the school did not notify other patients to be on the alert until the NYPD made the arrests, the sources said.

The fraud was finally brought to light when a Queens gang unit officer collared Scott for buying pot in St. Albans on May 18, 2013. During the bust, the cop noticed a skimmer and 19 credit cards in his BMW, according to court documents.

The officer downloaded the skimmer and found the patients’ information, officials said.

NYU officials claim they weren’t aware of the scam until police contacted them the day after Scott’s arrest.

Scott and Giscombe were terminated on June 5 and July 1, respectively, after an internal investigation by the university.

“The college has instituted new procedures to prevent this type of misuse of information from recurring,” said NYU spokesman Philip Lentz.

During the investigation, cops executed a search warrant in the home of Patricia Graham, chief of staff for the schools executive vice president, who Scott lived with.

Giscombe’s apartment was also searched by investigators who reported finding a knife, a gun and ammo.

Scott and Giscombe face up to a year in jail for each forged instrument count. Giscombe also faces up to 15 years in prison on the weapons charges.