A CHARITY has condemned a conwoman who posed as an Age Concern worker and tricked her way into the home of an 82-year-old pensioner.The bogus charity worker called at the pensioner's home in St Wendreds Way, Exning, at about at 8pm on Monday.

A CHARITY has condemned a conwoman who posed as an Age Concern worker and tricked her way into the home of an 82-year-old pensioner.

The bogus charity worker called at the pensioner's home in St Wendreds Way, Exning, at about at 8pm on Monday.

She claimed to be from Age Concern and asked about the woman's welfare. However, when the woman asked to look around the property, the pensioner became suspicious and asked for identification. The conwoman said she had left it in her car and went to fetch it, but she never returned.

Daphne Savage, chief executive for Age Concern Suffolk, said: "I am appalled and incensed about this. Age Concern is a name people can trust and, therefore, we are deeply unhappy it has been used to enter someone's home.

"It is highly unlikely anyone from the charity would call without making an appointment. They would carry identification and would only have an evening appointment if requested by an elderly person.

"Because the name is trusted, it is annoying someone would use it to upset the elderly. The lesson for everyone is to check identification before anyone comes in."

Age Concern members carry out hundreds of home visits throughout Suffolk, helping elderly residents with benefit claims, shopping and pension collections.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: "It is slightly unusual for someone to state they are from Age Concern, more often we get people saying they are from the water or gas board.

"Obviously these offenders are trying new and varied techniques to con their way into people's homes.

"Regardless of what organisation they claim to be from, we would advise residents to always check for photographic identification before allowing anyone into their homes."

The young woman has been described as white, aged between 22 and 24, of slim build, under 5ft tall and wearing small metal-framed glasses, a scarf and a long black coat.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Pc Dave Osterburg, of Newmarket police, on 01284 774100.