AN ELDERY pensioner was kept talking by a fake cold-caller while his accomplice stole cash from her home.
The man pretended to be from the water board and asked to check the water supply.
He kept the pensioner occupied while the second person entered the house and stole the money.
The distraction burglary took place in Close Hill, Redruth, at about 11.30am on November 3.
Detective Constable Ryan Parker said: "We would like to remind residents to ensure that any callers from utility companies show their identification, especially those who arrive without an appointment.
"This may even mean ringing the company using a number from the phone book to confirm they have sent staff to your address, but a genuine employee from the company will be only too happy to wait.
"If a caller is unable to provide the identification, then under no circumstances should they be allowed in.
"If in doubt, refuse them entry and call the police."
The suspect was white, about 5ft 2in, thin, with short dark hair, clean shaven and in his early thirties.
He wore a dark green, long-sleeved jacket and grey coloured trousers.
The police would like to hear from anyone else who had a call from someone pretending to be from the water board on the morning or November 3.
Mr Parker can be contacted on 1010 quoting AC/12/4358.
The man pretended to be from the water board and asked to check the water supply.
He kept the pensioner occupied while the second person entered the house and stole the money.
The distraction burglary took place in Close Hill, Redruth, at about 11.30am on November 3.
Detective Constable Ryan Parker said: "We would like to remind residents to ensure that any callers from utility companies show their identification, especially those who arrive without an appointment.
"This may even mean ringing the company using a number from the phone book to confirm they have sent staff to your address, but a genuine employee from the company will be only too happy to wait.
"If a caller is unable to provide the identification, then under no circumstances should they be allowed in.
"If in doubt, refuse them entry and call the police."
The suspect was white, about 5ft 2in, thin, with short dark hair, clean shaven and in his early thirties.
He wore a dark green, long-sleeved jacket and grey coloured trousers.
The police would like to hear from anyone else who had a call from someone pretending to be from the water board on the morning or November 3.
Mr Parker can be contacted on 1010 quoting AC/12/4358.
