ELDERLY, vulnerable, easily confused, alone. For scam artists looking for an easy buck, these words describe a potential gold mine.

According to Help the Aged, the typical profile of a bogus caller victim is 81 years old, female and living on her own.

This description fits the victim of a con in Muscliff last week, who handed over £60 to a man who offered his services for property and garden maintenance work.

"As soon as I put the money in his hand, he left, saying something about going to get a lorry," she told The Daily Echo.

"He didn't come back. I didn't think he would do that, he spoke very nicely and had tidy clothes on."

Thanks to pressure from charities and a new bill going through parliament, the government is starting to take this problem seriously.

And the Echo is asking you to help us lobby for a change in the law by signing our coupon, which is backed by the Trading Standards Institute.

A parliamentary committee, is looking into the issue and considering whether, as the bill proposes, they should impose a complete ban on cold calling to sell property services.

Other changes could include a ban on work being carried out or money changing hands before a seven-day cooling off period in the case of unsolicited visits.

The Doorstep Selling (Property Repairs) Bill was introduced by Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden under the 10-minute rule system, and is due for a second reading next month.

Mr Marsden told The Daily Echo: "I think it's a particular problem for seaside towns, because they are likely to have a larger than average number of old people, who perhaps have moved away from neighbour and family networks and are therefore more vulnerable to some of these callers.

"I would encourage your readers to consult their local MPs, raise the issue with them and with local organisations who have concerns about the elderly and those with disabilities, who are likely to be the most affected by this sort of rogue trading."

Help the Aged's national SeniorSafety manager, Lysa Ralph, said doorstep selling of property repairs is one of the main 'fronts' used by bogus callers.

"This crime is not petty and can net offenders hundreds of thousands of pounds," she said.

"We hope the government consultation will result in a total ban on all cold calling in property repairs and garden maintenance, as this is the only sure way to protect older people from rogue traders and distraction burglars."

First published: September 8