Be on guard over conman (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Be on guard over conman

A BOGUS caller is conning people in Rodbourne out of money.

Residents have given cash to a man in his early 20s to carry out guttering repairs.

But once they hand over the cash they never see him again.

And now Trading Standards and the police are warning residents to be on their guard.

A 52-year-old Rodbourne woman, who did not want to be named, says she has lost £120.

She said: "He knocked at my door in January and said it looked like I needed my guttering cleared.

"He seemed so plausible I believed him and gave him £20 to get equipment to do the work.

"Then he came back and said he needed some more money for more equipment.

"He wanted another £20 for some brackets to hold the guttering and this went on.

"He did clear part of the guttering but he didn't do any of the other work.

"After we questioned him we never saw him again.

"I can't believe I was that stupid. It's a lot of money and we're not going to get it back.

"He is charming and seems trustworthy.

"Normally I send people like this away with a flea in their ear but I did believe him when he said he'd do the work."

Another Rodbourne resident , a 60-year-old woman who did not want to be named, said: "He came to me last week.

"He said he'd clean my gutter. I don't think he did anything.

"Then he came back and said there were more jobs he could do.

"He came round every night that week.

"I was giving him £20 here and there."

In total the woman gave him about £90.

"He was a nice young man, polite and well mannered," she said.

"I do think it was my own fault but I won't trust anyone any more."

Carla Baker, a spokeswoman for Trading Standards said: "We are concerned about these events.

"We would always advise consumers never to deal with someone who knocks at your door.

"If people have problems they should contact Trading Standards at the Swindon Safer Shop in Havelock Street or call us on 08454 040506.

Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "All householders, particularly the elderly, are urged to be sceptical of anyone who turns up on their doorstep offering services without a prior appointment."