A conman targeted an 85-year-old woman in Gloucester by pretending to be carrying out work on her stair lift.
The incident happened between 2.30pm and 3.10pm on Thursday, November 11 in Sidney Street.
The offender called on the woman at her home and claimed he was there to fix the stair lift, asking for money to carry out repairs. The victim handed £100 over to the bogus caller but he claimed he needed to go and buy oil to do the work. He never returned.
The man is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky build, with short, dark hair. He was wearing navy trousers, a white shirt and a jacket. He left in a white van with ladders on the top, heading in the direction of Derby Road.
Crime Prevention Officer for the county Paul Francis said: “This is was a cold and heartless example of bogus calling. As he left the house the offender even had the gall to tell the victim to lock the door behind him.“
Anyone with information should call 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident 344 of November 11.
Paul Francis continued: “Our advice is don't let people in unless it's someone you know and trust or a business caller who has made a pre-arranged appointment.
“Please stick firmly to this rule whatever organisation the caller claims to represent and however urgent they say the work they have to come in and do is.
“Keep the door shut even if they appear to look official or flash ID at you as it could be fake.
"If business callers come to your home without making an appointment, ask them to come back later at an agreed time when you can have someone else with you.
“In the meantime, check their story by phoning the organisation they claim to represent.
“Look up the number in your telephone book rather than relying on the one on their card when you do this. No representative of a legitimate organisation will mind at all waiting while you do this.”
Summary of Information to Help You Avoid Becoming the Victim of a Distraction Burglar:
- If someone knocks on your door: check who it is by looking through a window or peep-hole.
- If it's not someone you know and trust or a business caller who has made a pre-arranged appointment, do NOT open the door.
- This advice applies whatever uniform the caller appears to be wearing or ID card they are carrying and however urgent their business claims to be.
- Tell unexpected business callers to leave and come back later at an agreed time when you can have someone else with you.
- In the meantime, check their credentials by calling the organisation they claim to represent. Do so by looking up the number in your telephone book rather than using one on any card they might give you as this could simply put you through to an accomplice of a potential offender.
- Friends and relatives of vulnerable people are urged to ensure they receive this information.
