DON'T be fooled by doorstep crooks! That's the warning from Leigh Pensioners Link in their latest newsletter.

LinkLine says: "This type of crook has many guises, ranging from the bowler-briefcase-umbrella rig to the honest-looking workmen's overalls.

"Often they work in pairs, sometimes a man and woman team, or the crooked caller may be a lone woman.

"All have one aim: to talk their way into your home in order to cheat or steal."

LinkLine warns that many old - and young - people are tricked and robbed every day by respectable-looking bogus officials.

And, in spite of many police warnings, the crooks continue to make an easy living.

To prevent them gaining at your expense, don't allow strangers inside until you have checked their identity, warns LinkLine, which adds: "No genuine caller, especially an official, will resent a few tactful questions and a request for their identity card - which all should carry."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.