Federal authorities say twin sisters from the Detroit area sold their children's Social Security numbers to people who claimed the kids as dependents on their tax returns.

Karhonda and Kashaunda Prophet were charged Thursday with assisting the preparation of false returns over a two-year period.

A criminal complaint in federal court says Karhonda Prophet received at least $200 and Kashaunda Prophet got at least $400. Sometimes the alleged scam didn't work because the Internal Revenue Service became suspicious and denied tax refunds.

There are no phone numbers listed for the sisters. Lawyers have not been appointed.