Bogus callers target pensioner

A HUNT was on today for two callous fraudsters who conned an Ipswich pensioner out of nearly £500.

A HUNT was on today for two callous fraudsters who conned an Ipswich pensioner out of nearly £500.

The heartless duo knocked at the door of the 77-year-old's Stratford Road home shortly before 11am on Saturday posing as sewerage workers.

One man told the woman he needed to carry out maintenance on the sewer, which would cost her £480.

The victim told detectives she believed his claim because she had been aware of a smell in the street.

The man took her phone number and left but shortly after she received two calls from him.

Five minutes later another man arrived, took the money from her hand and ran off towards Chesterfield Drive.

The first is described as white with dark hair brushed back, 5ft 4in, in his 50s and having a Suffolk accent.

The second was described as thinner, 6ft and with a Suffolk accent and was wearing a hip length beige jacket.

Anyone with information should call police on 01473 613500.

A force spokesman advised the public not to do business with people or disclose personal details unless they were “satisfied of their identity”.

Last week, a number of bogus caller incidents were reported across the county, while a frightened pensioner was threatened by two burglars in her own Kesgrave home.

And last month, Needham Market pensioner Phyliss Buckles told how she had her panic alarm ripped from her neck by burglars.

They also covered her nose and mouth during the raid at her house, in which they made off with £1,000.

Have you fallen victim to bogus callers? How can people protect themselves? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk