Stowmarket residents warned after ‘rogue doorstep caller’ impersonates council worker and takes cash from elderly home owner
Residents have been warned to stay alert after a ‘rogue doorstep caller’ impersonated a council worker and took money from an elderly home owner.
Police and Suffolk County Council Trading Standards issued the warning after the man called at a home in Stowmarket this week.
Claiming to be from the council, he told the elderly home owner that tree branches overhanging in their garden had injured someone and needed to be cut down at a cost of £700.
The rogue caller asked to come into the house and said a £50 deposit was needed for the work.
The home owner only had £20, which the man took and left, saying he would be back in a week.
The branches referred to were on a tree in the neighbour’s garden. The homeowner had no liability for the tree cutting or maintenance.
Council staff would never ask for cash or a deposit to do tree work.
Advice on dealing with unwanted callers to your property can be found here.
Crimes can be reported on 101 or through Suffolk Police’s website.