By Henry Belot
A conman entered the home of a 99-year-old Farrer man on Sunday afternoon claiming to be member of the ACT Ambulance Service and offered to paint the house number for $20.
Police said the conman is known was known to target elderly citizens and have urged the South Canberra community to be vigilant about their personal and home safety following other reports of suspicious behaviour in Farrer.
ACT Ambulance Service chief executive David Foot said their organisation does not engage in any such activity.
“The ACT Ambulance Service would like to advise the community they DO NOT produce any type of labelling on roadside kerbs,” he said.
"Should a member of the public be approached by persons purporting to be an ambulance officer, offering to stamp a label for a neighbourhood kerbside, they should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Sergeant Andrew Bailey, the officer-in-charge at the Woden Police Station, said elderly residents can take safety precautions to ensure scammers do not enter their homes.
“If you have a screen door, keep this locked and talk with unknown persons through the security screen door,” he said.
“If you are expecting a contractor or service provider, check their identification and if in doubt, call their head office to verify their details. Use the number out of the phone book and not a phone number they provide to you.”