Police warning after elderly Truro woman targeted by bogus callers (From Falmouth Packet)

Police warning after elderly Truro woman targeted by bogus callers

7:20am Monday 14th January 2013 in News By Greg Fountain, Reporter/Photographer

The police have issued a fresh warning over telephone scams after two elderly Cornish women were targeted by con men last week.

On Wednesday, January 9, an 82-year-old woman from Truro received a bogus telephone call on her landline telling her that a new debit card would be delivered to her later that day.

A man then appeared at her home at around 10.30am trying to get her to hand over her bank card, but she refused and called the police.

A 95-year-old Bodmin woman was not so fortunate, however.

She was visited at her home around 2pm and agreed to swap her bank card.

Around £2,000 was later withdrawn from her account.

Detectives are linking the offences and are warning people, especially the elderly, to be on their guard for this and similar scams.

They have issued a description of the man they are seeking in connection with the offences.

He is said to be white, around 5ft 2ins tall, in his 50s, of stocky build and with short brown hair. He was wearing a blue two-piece workman’s overall and carrying a clipboard.

Detective Constable Rebecca Ellis, based at Bodmin, said: "This is a callous crime by an offender who appears to be targeting elderly vulnerable people.

"We would urge the public, especially the elderly, to beware of this scam.

"Never give bank details or personal information to anyone and always ask for identification from a doorstep caller claiming to be from an official company.

“We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the man in the area at the time or anyone else who may have received a similar phone call or visit."

Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to contact the police on 101, quoting crime reference BB/13/47.