Bogus caller scares OAP

Published on 22nd November 2007 in News

An elderly Goole woman was left severely shaken-up in the week that Humberside Police issued a bogus-caller warning to residents in the area when she was visited by a suspicious man who demanded £200 from her for new double-glazed windows.

The 77-year-old resident, who does not wish to be named, was visited at her home in Murham Avenue last Thursday morning by a man who told her that he had previously fitted some of her double-glazed windows and would be able to fit new windows to the rear of her house for £350, so long as she paid him £200 up front.

"He told me I should recognise him because he had fitted my windows, but I didn't recognise him," said the resident.

"He was in and out of all the rooms in my house, but I followed him into all of them. He had no proof of identification on him, but he said that he didn't need it in his profession.

"I saw that he had gloves on and I thought they were to hide any fingerprints. I told him I thought he was a bogus caller and he said he wasn't, but when I said I had a big family and a relative was coming round in a minute, he left."

The woman described the man as being of Asian origin, around 5ft 8in tall and with dark, short hair.

She added: "I was frightened and the incident has unnerved me since then. I'm not a frightened person but it is scary when you are on your own.

"The police told me I did well to stand up to him."

A spokesperson for Humberside Police said this week that there was no proof that the man was definitely a bogus caller as no crime had been committed, but added that the resident was right to be suspicious.

The spokesperson said: "Following an increase in bogus callers in the East Riding, we are urging residents to be on their guard and be aware of crime prevention advice.

"When answering the door, if possible use a chain as to limit the caller's view of the inside of the house.

"Also, keep windows and doors secure at all times so as to prevent people from sneaking into homes."

* Meanwhile, two men claiming to be checking water faults stopped at an elderly man's home in Market Weighton last Wednesday, November 14 and one rummaged through the man's belongings while the other distracted him by claiming he needed to check the water in the bathroom.

The incident happened at 2.45pm. The first man was thin and aged between 18 and 25 years. He was 5ft 5in tall with short, dark brown hair and wearing dark trousers and a light coloured top.

The second man was also aged between 18 and 25, thin and possibly with an Irish accent. He was wearing a dark coloured top and trousers.

The news of the incident comes following reports that bogus callers also visited homes in Newport and Anlaby last Wednesday afternoon.

Police officers would like to advise people to be on their guard in the area and to always ask for identification before allowing anyone into homes. Identification can be verified by the company or the authority the caller claims to be from.

Readers who see anyone acting suspiciously are urged to contact police. Officers are also encouraging members of the public with elderly friends or relatives to make sure they are aware of this advice.

Anyone who may be able to identify the men involved in the Market Weighton incident, or who may have seen them, is urged to contact Humberside Police on 0845 6060222.