Local police are warning residents to be wary of cold callers after a bogus workman conned a pensioner out of £1,100.
The 75-year-old woman was in the process of having some work done on her home in the Primrose area of Lancaster and was waiting for a genuine builder to arrive. A man then knocked at her door at around 1.30pm on Saturday 17th October and asked if she needed any jobs doing. The pensioner told him she had a builder coming, at which point the man claimed to be working for him and demanded the outstanding money for the job.
The man, described as white male, of stocky build, with a north west accent, then left in a white van, driven by a second male.
“This is a despicable crime, targeting an elderly lady in her own home,” commented PC Martin Wilcock, Lancaster police. “I would urge anyone with information about this incident to get in touch with us.
“I would advise relatives and neighbours of the elderly to keep an eye over them and stress the importance of not handing over money to people who call at the door unexpectedly.
“If you have any doubts over the person calling at your door then close it and dial 999.
• Contact police on 01524 63333 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.