A recent incident at the Treberth estate in Newport has left an elderly woman £900 out of pocket after falling victim to a scam by two men pretending to be landscapers. The community has been issued a warning by a concerned neighbour, Mark Pope, who shared the unfortunate events that took place on a Friday afternoon. The two men arrived at the woman’s house in a white van and offered to carry out garden work. Despite spending two and a half hours at the property, they completed minimal work but managed to leave with £900 in cash. The elderly woman, in her mid-80s and in poor health, was unable to reach out to her neighbour as she usually would, leading to her being scammed.
Mark Pope, who has been vigilant in raising awareness of the scam within the estate, highlighted the importance of being cautious when dealing with uninvited strangers. He described the men as white and of slim build, emphasizing the need for residents to always check for identification, ask for a business card, and never pay upfront for services. The lack of credentials and minimal work completed by the scammers has left the elderly woman feeling vulnerable and Mark concerned about the safety of other residents in the area, particularly those over the age of 55.
The Gwent Police have been informed of the incident and are appealing for information to assist with their investigation. Katherine Hart, from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, underlined the fact that scams like these can happen to anyone at any time, not just vulnerable individuals. She urged people to take extra steps to protect themselves, including never engaging with cold callers at the door, researching before hiring anyone, and avoiding upfront payments without written agreements. Putting up a visible sticker to deter cold callers and reporting persistent or uncomfortable encounters to authorities were also advised.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for communities to remain vigilant and sceptical of uninvited visitors offering services. As the police continue their investigation, it is essential for residents to look out for one another and share information about potential scams to prevent others from falling victim to similar fraudulent activities. The power of community awareness and solidarity can be a crucial line of defense against deceptive individuals seeking to exploit vulnerable members of society. It is imperative to stay informed, cautious, and proactive in safeguarding against such scams in order to maintain the safety and security of our neighbourhoods.