Personal Support Worker, 24, Charged in Ancaster Retirement Home Card Fraud

A 24-year-old personal support worker from Hamilton has been charged after complaints about unauthorized purchases on the credit and debit card accounts of residents of an Ancaster retirement home, Hamilton Police said.

According to police, complaints came in during July 2026 about purchases made without permission on the accounts of residents at Carrington Place in Ancaster.

Investigation and arrest

The Hamilton Police Financial Crimes Unit investigated and identified a personal support worker employed at the retirement home as the suspect, police said. Police allege the employee had access to residents' credit and debit cards while working at the facility.

Investigators arrested a 24-year-old Hamilton woman on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Police said a search warrant was later carried out at her home, and evidence connected to the fraudulent purchases was recovered.

Charges

Bella Azalia Carranza Mejia, 24, of Hamilton, is charged with:

• Fraud under $5,000 (three counts)
• Use of a stolen credit card (three counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime (three counts)

Carranza Mejia was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date. The charges have not been tested in court.

Police said they are not looking for additional victims or witnesses in this investigation.

Protecting against financial fraud

Hamilton Police are reminding residents and their families to check financial accounts regularly so suspicious activity can be spotted.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recommends reviewing bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions, watching for unfamiliar charges, and contacting your financial institution right away if you suspect fraud. More fraud prevention information is available from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.