Bogus callers target elderly Amcotts couple

An elderly Isle couple were targeted by bogus callers who stole cash from their home in the run up to Christmas.

Two men called at a property on Belthorne Road in Amcotts in the early afternoon of Friday December 19, one of them claiming to be a farmer, who told the elderly woman that there was a problem with flooding at the field at the rear of her house which needed to be looked at.

The woman’s partner went down the garden with the man, while the woman remained indoors. After coming in from the garden the elderly couple discovered a second man walking down the stairs who was challenged by the couple. Both men then ran out of the house and to a white transit van with black writing on the side, which read ‘roofing contractors’, and drove off in the direction of Keadby.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The couple then discovered that a large about of money had been stolen from a drawer in an upstairs bedroom.

A Humberside Police spokesman confirmed that house to house enquiries have been undertaken in the area regarding the incident.

The following advice has been issued:

* Keep your front and back doors locked at all times, even when at home;

* Before you answer the door, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked any back doors and taken the key out. Look through the spy hole or the window to see who it is;

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

* If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep – some bogus callers call on older and vulnerable people saying they need help urgently. They may ask you to help them outside the house or ask to come in to make a phone call or have a glass of water. Only go to help them if you have someone else with you;

* If someone who looks official calls at your door, always do the following – ask for and carefully check their identity card, even if they have a prearranged appointment (all genuine callers will carry one).

Anyone with information about the incident, or the men involved, are urged to call Humberside Police on 101 quoting crime reference 2087285 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Related topics: