North Brunswick Woman, 91, Reports Home Health Aide For Credit Card Fraud

MIDDLESEX, NJ — This is one savvy senior: A 91-year-old North Brunswick woman being cared for by an in-home health aid called police after she suspected the aide tried to open a credit card in her name. The home health aide has been arrested and her license was temporarily suspended by the state, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said.

The alleged incident happened last fall, Porrino said: The home health aid, Alica Romancakova, 44, of Middlesex, allegedly applied online for a $12,500 line of credit using the personal information of a 91-year-old North Brunswick woman for whom she was providing in-home care. The North Brunswick woman noticed someone tried to open a credit card in her name and called police.

Romancakova was arrested by North Brunswick Police on March 27. She has been charged with wrongful impersonation and attempted credit card fraud.

According to the filed Consent Order, Romancakova admitted to police that she attempted to open a $12,500 line of credit in the older woman's name, the AG said.

Her Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (“CHHA”) certification was suspended by the State Board of Nursing pending the resolution of the criminal charges against her. Additional disciplinary action may also be taken, the state warned.

“Families who hire certified home health aides to watch over their loved ones must have assurances that the caregivers they allow into their homes are trustworthy professionals, not thieves looking for easy marks,” said Attorney General Porrino. “To provide this peace of mind to families, we will continue to keep vigilant watch on our home healthcare professionals and weed out any certified home health aides who do not live up to the responsibilities and trust placed in them.”

“By temporarily suspending the certification of this CHHA, the Board has taken immediate action to ensure that she will not be allowed to enter patients’ homes while these very serious charges are pending," said Steve Lee, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. "Protecting the welfare of the public is paramount, especially elderly and disabled individuals requiring in-home care.”

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