A MORECAMBE pensioner has been conned out of her life-savings by a bogus plumber who turned up on the doorstep. The housebound woman, who has asked not to be named, was cheated out of £700 which she thought was going towards the cost of installing central heating in her ground floor flat. Now, her shocked family are calling on elderly people to take more precautions when dealing with strangers calling at the door.

The con man struck early last week demanding £700 to begin work on the installation. The woman, who suffers from asthma and emphysema, trustingly handed the cash over because she was expecting a workman to call.

By coincidence, two weeks earlier the woman had phoned a local plumber inquiring about central heating. The bogus workman arrived on her doorstep saying he had been sent by the legitimate tradesman.

Two days later the conman returned demanding another £500 to buy materials.

The woman's daughter Doreen Johnson told the Citizen: "My mum just doesn't have another £500 so she phoned me and I said I would come over right away. By the time I got there he had scarpered."

"I don't know how this man found out that my mother had made inquires about central heating, he must have just struck lucky.

"That £700 was all the money my mum had and that she's worked for as a waitress at the Midland Hotel. Elderly people are so vulnerable and I've told my mum time and time again to keep the doors locked even while she's at home."

That message was backed up by police in the town who warned pensioners to take extra care.

Det Sgt Tracey Launder said: "We would urge people to check the credentials of anyone calling at the door. If there is a problem then check them out with the police before letting them into your home."

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