Police have have issued a warning after bogus callers posing as council workers offered to help rehome a pensioner to avoid the new “bedroom tax”.
The 72-year-old, who lives alone, was approached at his two-bedroom home in Perth on Wednesday night.
A man and the woman gained entry to his home and claimed they could offer him a one-bedroom property elsewhere in the city. While it is believed that nothing was taken from the house, the incident was reported to the police.
The pensioner, who is a council tenant, said: “They wanted to talk to me about moving to a one-bedroom house instead of a two-bedroom. I’ve thought about it before but I’m happy where I am.
“I didn’t think it was a scam but a friend of mine thought it might be. She got in touch with the council and they said they don’t send people round.
“It doesn’t worry me. I am quite capable of looking after myself and we have good neighbours who keep an eye out for anything suspicious, but I wouldn’t like to see any older or handicapped people targeted.”
A spokesman for the council said: “Perth and Kinross Council staff would not cold-call at doors asking people for this sort of information, or to offer house swaps.
“If any householders are visited by these people, we would advise them to politely decline their offer, close the door and then inform the police.
“On no account should you ever let anyone into your home who turns up on your doorstep unannounced.”
A police spokesman said: “We would advise residents to be alert to this type of scam.”