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Police say McKees Rocks woman charged more than $8K in grandmother's name

McKEES ROCKS, Pa. — A McKees Rocks woman is accused of taking out a credit card in her grandmother’s name and charging over $8,000.

According to police, Velvet Dvorak-Thomas, 36, used her 81-year-old grandmother’s identity to sign up for a credit card without her knowing.

Authorities said Dvorak-Thomas is accused of charging about $8,100 in less than two weeks at jewelry and state stores.

The victim, Lillian Dvorak, lives in Heidelberg and told police she received a letter from PNC in April that her address had been changed to a McKees Rocks residence.

Officials said it wasn’t until a credit card statement came to her house in May that she learned more than $8,100 had been charged.

Police said the grandmother then contacted PNC and confronted her granddaughter.

Donna Wynnik lives next door to Lillian Dvorak and is a relative. Wynnik said Dvorak feels embarrassed she was schemed.

“She’s very embarrassed, upset and angry. All those things that come in,” Wynnik said. “If you’re going to victimize a family member, then you’ll do it to a stranger.”

The grandmother agreed to press charges against Dvorak-Thomas, and in return, the bank agreed to remove the charges, officials said.

“Everybody should take care of their elderly and look after them. Make sure their bills are correct and everything is going smoothly,” Wynnik said. “Just check everything. Check your credit cards and check your bank.”

Dvorak-Thomas is facing charges, including identity theft and forgery, police said.