A PENSIONER who fell foul of a bogus caller who stole cash after claiming to be from the water board has said she would like to get hold of the man and “give him a good kicking”.
The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, said she is not letting the experience of having her pension money taken upset her and is more annoyed that the thief got away.
But, while she remains very active in her eighties, she is worried that pensioners who may not be so fit or capable would be more badly affected by the experience.
The woman was one of two Crawley pensioners who lost money after opening their doors to people claiming to be from either the gas or water board.
She believes the man may have watched her draw her pension money from a nearby post office before following her home – and she suspects he had an accomplice because she never left him alone once he was in the house.
She said: “It was only about 10 minutes after I got home. Whoever it was, he went into the lounge. I had put £21.50 into an envelope for the window cleaner and he took the £20 note.
“When I went to bed I found he had been in the bedroom and I was worried about my engagement ring but he only seemed to have been interested in paper money.
“I was really furious. I’d like to get hold of him and give him a good kicking. I thought I should have realised what he was up to and not let him in.
“I know they warn you that these things do seem kosher but you would never dream there was something funny about him.
“He was very pleasant and talked about his mum – a nice lad.”
The first incident happened at around 5.25pm on Tuesday (February 14) in Gossops Drive, when a man claimed to be from the water board and said that a nearby pipe had burst.
The resident at the property, a woman in her 80s, let the man into the property and after he had left she discovered that money had been stolen.
The man is described as white, around 5ft 10ins’, of skinny build, clean shaven, wearing a navy blue v-neck sweater and dark blue trousers.
On Thursday (February 16), at around 12.30pm, an 88-year-old man in Pease Pottage let two men into his home who told him that, due to gas works going on in the area, they needed to check his water supply.
After a short time the men left and the victim discovered his wallet, which contained several thousand pounds, was gone.
One of the suspects is described as white, in his thirties, 5ft 7ins tall with dark short hair and wearing a dark jogging suit.
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “We believe that on both occasions the caller was distracting the resident while an accomplice let themselves into the property through the front door which may have been left ajar and then searched for money.
“I would advise everyone not to keep large amounts of cash in your house and not let anyone into your property if they are not expected.
“Always check someone’s ID and keep the security chain on while you are doing so. If you are in doubt, don’t let them in and phone the company they claim to be from using a phone number from a telephone directory. If you are suspicious then call police on 101.”
Joel Hufford, public relations manager at Southern Water, said: “Customer safety is a priority for Southern Water and we are working closely with Sussex Police to help tackle bogus callers.
“Sometimes we may need to visit customers at home, and when we do we want them to feel safe.
“Water company staff and contractors always carry identification and employees and contractors of Southern Water will always be happy to wait whilst you check their identification.
“If you are unsure of a caller, do not let them in. Check their identity by telephoning Southern Water on 0845 278 0845, or call the police.”
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 1007 of 14/2 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.