WARNING letters have been issued by a Leyland-based housing association to all its tenants in a bid to stop bogus callers preying on their elderly residents in the Bamber Bridge and Preston areas.

Posing as a New Progress Housing Association official, a female imposter called on one 90-year-old partially sighted woman at night. She managed to ring the police.

Another tenant in the area was contacted by telephone, also by a woman claiming to be from the association.

After confirmation that neither of the callers were bonafide officials, association staff made immediate checks and delivered 160 special warning letters by hand.

A New Progress spokeswoman explained: "We have been carrying out survey work in the area during the daytime, not at night.

"Someone has cottoned on to this and it is a great cause for concern. All our staff carry identity badges which are also printed in Braille.

"The letters also give a named individual who will be carrying out our genuine survey. If tenants are worried, they can insist an appointment is made in writing.

"They can ring the head office to check on what is happening." She added: "Police are dealing with the matter."

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