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Herne Bay: Police warn of bogus callers after pensioner conned

Police are warning people to be aware after an 85-year-old pensioner was conned out of cash by bogus roofers.

Residents in Herne Bay have been told to be on their guard following the incident, which happened on Tuesday when three men in a flat-bed truck called at the OAP's home.

One of the men - who told the man his roof needed repairing - took the victim to his bank in the town where a large quantity of cash was withdrawn and handed over.

The men claim to be from the RSPCA. Stock image.
The men claim to be from the RSPCA. Stock image.

They then left and when the pensioner went back to his house, he realised the work had not been completed.

Sergeant Nick Barton said: "We are treating this as an isolated case and would like remind people how they can stay safer in their homes.

"A rogue trader is someone who cold calls at your home and offers services or goods and overcharges you for them.

"This includes overcharging for unnecessary work, damaging property deliberately to get money, leaving work unfinished and intimidating someone to get money.

"Rogue traders are also known to take advantage following severe weather such as floods and high winds to offer repairs at inflated prices."

Anyone with information about the incident should call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference ZY/20720/16.

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