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Police in Upper Dublin are investigating a credit card fraud case involving an elderly woman and a home health care aide, following a series of unauthorized purchases totaling more than $1,200, according to police.
The investigation began last spring, when a woman walked into the police station to report fraudulent charges on multiple credit cards belonging to her 81-year-old mother. The complainant told officers she holds power of attorney for her mother and recently hired a home health care agency, Home Helpers Aurora, to provide in-home care, according to police.
Three home health care aides worked in the home between April 18 and May 20, 2025. One aide, identified as Grace Mercer, 24, of Upper Darby, worked several shifts in mid-May. Shortly after that period, the complainant noticed unauthorized charges on three credit cards. A fourth card with fraudulent activity was later discovered in July. Police noted the victim remained in possession of all four cards throughout the time of the fraudulent transactions.
The unauthorized charges spanned multiple merchants and services, including mobile phone providers, Apple, Roku, FanDuel, Hulu, Uber, and online background check services. Investigators said the total amount of fraudulent purchases was $1,296.11.
One credit card was used to purchase
- Simple Mobile $21.98
A second credit card was used to purchase:
- Exxon Mobile (Attempt)
- Apple - $288.36
- Apple - $589.68
- Fanduel - $50.00
- Fanduel - $50.00
A third credit card was used to purchase:
- Fanduel - $100.00
- Roku - $6.23
- Roku - $12.71
- Roku - $8.47
- Roku - $7.72
- Fanduel - $25.00
Another was used for:
- PeopleFinders - $9.95
- Simple Mobile - $28.65
- Hulu - $21.19
- Buzzoid - $14.99
- Buzzoid - $39.99
- Uber (no listed amount)
- Hulu - $21.19
Detectives executed numerous search warrants on the companies associated with the transactions, as well as internet service providers, to identify phone numbers, email addresses, shipping locations, and IP addresses connected to the purchases.
Police said one fraudulent Apple transaction involved the purchase of multiple pairs of AirPods, which were shipped to a Philadelphia address associated with Mercer. The phone number and email address used in that transaction were also linked to additional fraudulent purchases across multiple credit cards.
Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from an attempted fraudulent debit card transaction at an Exxon gas station in Philadelphia. Police said the video showed a blue Dodge Charger with a New Jersey registration plate attempting to use a mobile phone for payment at the pump. Using license plate reader data, officers later identified the vehicle as being registered to Mercer. Police said the driver of the vehicle during a later traffic stop matched the description of the individual seen in the surveillance footage.
Mercer is facing multiple felony charges, including identity theft and forgery.
Bail was set at $25,000.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Douglas H. Lavenberg.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
