A FORMER Russian Arctic Convoys veteran has been scammed out of £300 by two 'despicable' conmen posing as Wiltshire Council workers.

Joe Grant handed over notes from his ‘heavy wallet’ after the pair claimed to be from “the council” and offered to clean his guttering.

Joe, who is 96 and lives in Haden Road, Trowbridge, was caught out after the conmen approached his three-bedroomed home on Wednesday afternoon last week (20 April).

Now his daughter, Angie Willis, 70, has warned other elderly and vulnerable people to watch out for the pair, who scarpered after she approached them to ask what they wanted.

“They are just scum. It was despicable that they can do that to a war veteran who served on the Russian Arctic Convoy patrols during the Second World War. There is not many of them left now.

“I was digging at the bottom of the garden when I heard dad talking and thought he was chatting to neighbours.

“When I went up the garden, I saw two chaps standing there and they said they were from the council and had come to clean the gutters.

Wiltshire Times:

“I said, I know you’re not and send them packing, but when I spoke to dad afterwards I found out he had already given them some money from his wallet.

“He’s old school and doesn’t have any bank cards. He always has a heavy wallet.

“Apparently, they kept saying to him, ‘another one of those’ when he opened his wallet to give them some money.

“We can usually tell when the guttering has been cleaned, so I just knew they were not kosher.”

She described the men as being aged 30-40, of medium build, one with fair hair and the other with mousy brown hair.

One was slim and wearing a white t-shirt, while the other was stocky and wearing a dark t-shirt and jeans.

Ms Willis said she had reported the incident to Wiltshire Police, who could find no record of it, as well as Wiltshire Council and Selwood Housing.

Mr Grant has been left shaken by the incident and Ms Willis added: “Dad was pretty upset and can’t believe this has happened to him. He has never been conned before,” she said.

Ms Willis also posted a message on a local social media Facebook page, urging people to keep a lookout for the two conmen.

A Selwood Housing spokeswoman said: "We were very saddened to hear about this distressing crime on the Longfield Estate in Trowbridge, where we have a number of homes.

"We urge our customers and the wider community to be on guard and know what to look out for.

"We regularly share information and warnings with customers, as to what to do if someone visits without an appointment, suggesting work needs to be completed on their home. Customers can always call us to check if the person is from Selwood Housing.  

"If someone unexpectedly turns up, we advise to always ask for ID and to check  if the person is from a legitimate company with a permanent business address and landline phone number.

"If the caller is unable to produce legitimate ID or you are suspicious, we recommend asking the person to leave and reporting the incident to the police."

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said:  “We are very sorry to hear about this incident.

"All council employees or contractors carrying out work on behalf of the council carry ID with them and will show this to people when they visit a house.

“We encourage people to ask for ID if anyone calls at their house claiming to be from Wiltshire Council or to be working on our behalf.

"If they do not have any ID they are not from the council and people should not let them in or give them money.

"People should look closely at any ID that they are shown and if they have concerns call the council on 0300 456 0100 to verify that they are genuine.

“Concerns about bogus callers or if you suspect a scam is being operated by someone living or working in Wiltshire, should be reported via the Helpline on 0808 223 1133. We will automatically be notified of your call to the Helpline.

“Suspected scams or fraud can also be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050).”