The daughter of an elderly woman has warned people to be vigilant after a scam related to this week's flooding.
The Bourne End resident, who has asked to remain anonymous, told the Free Press that her 90-year-old mum received a phone call from a suspected draining company ‘following reports of issues in the area’ due to Storm Henk.
They suggested a visit to the OAP’s property a day after the phone call would be appropriate to check the drains, with the daughter suggesting that the company’s behaviour was ‘suspicious’.
The daughter said: "No one has mentioned any issues to us recently and I have just messaged in my mum’s WhatsApp group for the whole road and no one has had any issues.
“No one has reported anything.
“I also phoned the number the company gave her.
“Some dodgy geezer who would not answer my questions about from where they get their info.
“At the third time of asking he replied 'existing customers' - I was very suspicious."
The daughter also revealed that when someone claiming to be from the company arrived at the property, they had moved the appointment forward and that they didn’t have any form of identification apart from a high-vis jacket with a logo on.
She continued: “I’m pretty sure they moved the appointment forward to confuse me as they probably knew I was going to be there.
“So when he did arrive, I didn’t let him in the house.
“He had no identification on him and he gave me a leaflet which had no information on it apart from an email address and a number.
“It had no Check-a-Trade information or any other information and he wouldn’t give me any answers.
“He eventually went on with a flea in his ear as I wouldn’t let him in the house or round the back.
“I’ve not heard from them since and it just made me feel quite nervous.”
The issue has been reported to Trading Standards and the police have been made aware.
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