A Risca woman was saved from losing thousands of pounds thanks to a quick-thinking staff member from Barclays Bank.
Two men recently called by the the 60-year-old’s home offering to carry out repair work on her roof. They initially told her that two slates needed replacing and the cost would be £30 to repair.
The pair changed their story however when they went up on the roof and told her she needed substantial work carried out immediately.
The woman went to her branch of Barclays in Risca to withdraw thousands of pounds to pay the men after they told her she would be able to claim on her building’s insurance.
The bank clerk became suspicious when the woman explained this to her and so called her manager who then contacted Gwent Police.
Gwent Police and Trading Standards went straight to the woman’s home. The men had been scared off and had left their tools behind.
Cllr Rob Gough, cabinet member for public protection said: “The quick-thinking actions of the Barclays Bank staff undoubtedly prevented this lady from parting with a substantial amount of money on a bogus scheme.
“A dual response between Trading Standards and Gwent Police in instances such as this means that we are able to tackle the issue swiftly and effectively for our residents.”
Jonathan Brenchley, head of corporate affairs for the Wales and West region at Barclays said: “I‘m delighted that the vigilance and the professionalism of our local staff prevented an unsuspecting member of the public suffering both financially and emotionally at the hands of ruthless conmen.”
The damage done to the roof by them was put right by charity Care and Repair.