A PARTIALLY-sighted Wirral pensioner threw a bogus caller out of his Birkenhead home after he tried to con him out of £60 to fix a “dodgy” roof.

Merseyside Police is appealing for information after the man - claiming to be from Wirral Council – told the 77-year-old man that he had noticed some dangerously loose ridge tiles on his Price Street home, which needed replacing.

He offered to do the job for £60 and entered the elderly gentleman’s home, who then gave him the money.

But he soon became suspicious when the man said he would give the money to his mates to buy new tiles.

The pensioner then grabbed hold of the man and demanded his money back, managing to recover £40 before throwing him out.

The man has been described as being in his mid 50s, between 5’4” and 5’ 6” tall, scruffily dressed with grey hair.

A full investigation into the incident, which happened at around 2.40pm on Thursday, October 23, is ongoing.

PC Gareth Davies said: “This type of crime is despicable where vulnerable members of our community are targeted.

“Victims can suffer terribly both emotionally and physically and it can seriously affect their trust and faith in people afterwards.

“It is vital people remember to check the identity of any stranger who calls at their home, genuine callers will not mind waiting.

“Help and support is available from the police, local authorities, and utility companies so please make sure you use it.

“I would also ask that peop0le keep an eye on who is visiting, or knocking on the doors of their elderly or vulnerable neighbours. Most importantly, if in doubt keep them out.”

  • Detectives are urging anyone who has any information about this incident to contact them on 0151 777 2088 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Many people who call at your door are genuine but some are not. Therefore it is vital to take precautions when you answer the door:

  • Always make sure visitors to your home are who they say they are by asking to see their identification.
     
  • Do not let people into your property that you do not know. These type of people may pretend to be an official or may just ask for a drink of water or if they can use the toilet. Remember ‘if in doubt, keep them out’.
     
  • Remember to close and lock the back door before answering the front door.
     
  • The best defence against a bogus caller is to have a viewer or spy hole and a stout door chain fitted to your door.
     
  • If the caller claims to be from the electricity, gas or water company, ask them to quote your customer reference number. A genuine caller from these utility companies will be able to quote these numbers.
     
  • If you're not sure who is at your door, don't open it. Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are purporting to be from i.e. Police, Council or Gas, Electricity, Water companies. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider.
     
  • Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller, as they may be bogus.
     
  • Many utility service providers like gas, electricity and water, provide password schemes for customers, sign up to these. When unannounced callers claiming to be from these utility providers call at your door they should know the password if they are genuine.
     
  • 'Water Boards' no longer exist, it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.
     
  • Don't keep large quantities of cash at home, put it in the bank where it is safe.