'Unscrupulous' mattress seller targets older woman
Getty ImagesAn "unscrupulous" fraudster targeted a vulnerable elderly woman - driving her to her bank to withdraw hundreds of pounds, police have warned.
The woman, from the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton, answered her door to a man who said he was trying to sell a mattress, at about 13:20 BST on Monday 27 July.
Northamptonshire Police's Economic Crime Unit said a white man in his 50s, wearing a dark baseball cap and a light-coloured polo style T-shirt with Premier Carpets and Beds written on the back, claimed he was selling the item because the original buyer had cancelled the order.
When she paid him, he told her it was not enough and then took her to the bank to get more money.
Fraud Protect Officer, Det Con Jo Barlow, said: "Unscrupulous fraudsters like this will travel from town to town, targeting areas where vulnerable people such as the elderly live."
She urged residents to be "extra vigilant" and encouraged everyone to look out for vulnerable or elderly neighbours .
"Our message is simple - say 'no' to cold callers.
"You should not feel under any obligation to buy from people on your doorstep.
"If they become aggressive and refuse to leave, please phone us immediately on 999."
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