Cumbria Trading Standards and police are warning householders to beware of doorstep conmen who come knocking offering to carry out repairs to roofs and driveways.
The latest warning comes after an elderly Maryport couple became victims of two male cold-callers who told them that their roof needed to be repaired. After allegedly carrying out the work, they took £1,400 in cash from the couple - who have a combined aged of 193 years.
A few days later the couple were revisited and persuaded that their guttering needed to be repaired at a cost of £1,200.
Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria County Council's Trading Standards, said "I would urge people never to employ cold-callers. Sadly, this case illustrates the importance of not keeping large amounts of cash at home. Once these offenders become aware of this an elderly, vulnerable victim often becomes a repeat victim".
One of the men was described as 5' 10" tall, with a round face, curly black hair and of medium/stocky build. The other was in his late 20s/early 30s, thin and about 6' 2" tall. They were driving a dark coloured Mitsubishi Shogun and were active in the Maryport area last week. They may have also been involved in another incident in Maryport in April.
Police are also warning householders to beware of a group of men using a van marked with Diamond Seal, who have persuaded people to pay cash to have a solution put onto their driveways, then left without finishing the job.
Anyone with information should call Maryport Police on 0845-330-0247, or Trading Standards on 01900-325980.
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337