RESIDENTS are being warned to be on their guard against a suspected “bogus caller” going door to door in the Warrington area, selling toy items claiming to be collecting for a children’s hospital.
The woman was operating in the Padgate area of Warrington at around 3pm on Saturday afternoon when she was challenged by local resident Paula Vernon, who has since reported the incident to police.
Mum of two Paula, who has shared a post on social media issuing a warning, said: “This woman is selling fluffy ‘toy’ type balls for £10, YES £10!! and said local schools have made them for a children’s hospital.
“She claimed to have ID but then conveniently said she ‘forgot’ her NHS ID when I challenged her.
“I have been told she has been doing the rounds locally over the past couple of weeks and had also forgotten her ID on those occasions too!
“Using poorly children as an excuse to gain money makes me sick!
“The NHS do not do door to door! I have already been in contact with the hospital and they confirmed this.
“She was also not wearing a mask during a pandemic!”
Paula says the woman spoke with a Liverpool accent but claimed to live on Fearnhead Lane and be working for a children’s hospital in Manchester.
The details have been reported to Cheshire Police.
Anyone with information can call 101 and quote incident number IML 954776
