Hamilton Police have charged a 24-year-old personal support worker following an investigation into fraudulent credit and debit card transactions involving residents of an Ancaster retirement home.

In July 2026, Hamilton Police received complaints involving unauthorized purchases on the credit and debit card accounts of residents at Carrington Place in Ancaster.

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

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, investigators arrested a 24-year-old Hamilton woman. A subsequent search warrant executed at her residence resulted in the recovery of evidence related to the fraudulent purchases.

Bella Azalia Carranza Mejia, 24, of Hamilton, has been charged with:

• Fraud Under $5,000 (three counts)
• Use Stolen Credit Card (three counts)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (three counts)

Carranza Mejia was released on an undertaking with a future court date.

Hamilton Police are not seeking additional victims or witnesses in relation to this investigation.

Protecting Yourself Against Financial Fraud

Hamilton Police remind residents and their families of the importance of regularly monitoring financial accounts to identify suspicious activity.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recommends reviewing bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions, watching for unfamiliar charges and immediately contacting your financial institution if fraudulent activity is suspected.

For more information about fraud prevention, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.