RESIDENTS in Felixstowe were today urged to be wary of callers after an elderly woman was robbed of her pension and families were duped into buying worthless goods.

RESIDENTS in Felixstowe were today urged to be wary of callers after an elderly woman was robbed of her pension and families were duped into buying worthless goods.

In the second distraction burglary in a week, a 75-year-old had her pension money stolen in a clever scam operated by two middle-aged men.

The woman was visited first at her home in Grange Road by a man claiming to be doing surveys on properties in the area and who asked her if an electrician had called yet.

He asked her to pass on a message to the electrician and left.

Ten minutes later a second man called, claiming to be the electrician. He gained entry to her home and asked her to get a stepladder – and was left alone while she fetched it. He then pretended to do several electrical checks before leaving.

The day after the incident, which happened on Tuesday between 2pm and 2.25pm, the woman discovered her pension money had been stolen.

The men are described as white, about 5ft 10in tall, well-built and in their late 40s to mid 50s.

The first had grey-coloured hair cut in an old-fashioned style and was wearing a tie, jacket and trousers. The second also had grey hair, was wearing similar clothing and carried a hand-held gadget.

Last week an 86-year-old woman had £300 stolen by fake water company officials after one of the men "forcefully persuaded" to let him inside the house, saying there was an emergency.

Crime prevention officers say householders should think about whether they are expecting a visitor before answering the door, check who it is by using a window or spyhole, make sure the back door is locked, and use a door chain.

Householders should check details of the caller and ask for identification, as well as calling the company to check.

Residents are also urged to be cautious when dealing with door-to-door salesmen, after receiving reports of bogus traders selling boxes supposedly containing electrical items which are either not there or do not work.

Anyone with information should call Felixstowe police on 01473 613500.