Police warning over bogus callers after OAP targeted

An elderly man answered his door last Thursday to a man claiming to be from the gas board, a police spokeswoman said.

When he was asked to show some ID, the man made several excuses, ultimately refusing to provide any identification documents, and then left the address.

Sgt Katie Rowland-Wilson from the Sheffield South East Neighbourhood Team said: “This has all the signs of being a bogus doorstep caller; any genuine worker from an energy or gas company would be happy to show ID when asked. 

“The occupant of the address rightly challenged him and refused to let him in the house, despite him being very insistent.

"This is a really good reminder for all of us, to ask questions and be aware of the dangers of bogus callers.

“If you have any information about this incident, or anything similar in the Darnall and Tinsley areas, please contact my team.”

Police reminded householders to be vigilant against unexpected callers by using a door viewer or nearby window to check to see who was calling.

People can fit a door chain or bar and can ask for identification of anyone who calls at your home, said the spokeswoman.

Genuine callers would not mind if householders called their company to check their ID.

People should never agree to pay for goods or services to strangers at the door and people should not keep large amounts of cash at home.

Anyone with information about the bogus caller in Darnall and Tinsley should call 101 or report the information online at www.southyorks.police.uk