Life savings theft by fake social worker

The life savings of a Black Country pensioner has been stolen by a bogus social worker who used a fake identity card to trick the victim, it emerged today.

The conwoman called at the house claiming to be from the council.

The swindler called at the house in Churchill Road, Bentley, Walsall, and told the elderly woman she was there to check the correct benefits were being paid for gas and electricity.

But after she left the premises the pensioner realised that her money was missing.

The fake official is described as a tall Asian woman in her late 20s.

Walsall Council revealed a similar incident happened the following day when a woman matching that description visited the home of a man in the Bush Street area of Darlaston.

The man discovered that his wallet was missing after the woman left.

The council's cabinet member for safer stronger communities Councillor Garry Perry said: "As these instances show, there are some despicable individuals around who will take advantage of the trusting nature of people.

"It is extremely unusual for Walsall Council employees to make home visits without an appointment being made first and I urge anyone who receives such a visit to ask for an identity card and to check it very carefully."