AN EASTRIGGS pensioner is warning others after she was scammed out of £150 by a bogus fencer.
Jennifer Millar, who will be 71 next month, needed her fence extended after rescuing a five-year-old lurcher who has an affinity for jumping fences.
She said: “I searched online for fencers in Eastriggs and it came up with a website which had a lot of companies who do that sort of thing.
“I chose this guy because he was closest to me so I messaged him and he got back to me in a matter of minutes, saying he could be at my property within 20 minutes.”
When he arrived, Jennifer explained what she was looking for.
She said: “He kind of rubbed his head and said it would be a very expensive job, in excess of £900.
“I told him I didn’t have that kind of money and he asked how much I could get, so I went to the Spar and could only take £150 out.
“When I got back he took the money straight out of my hand as I told him I couldn’t afford the £900 but would pay for his fuel costs for coming out to my property.
“I asked for the money back but he said I had already given it to him and I wasn’t getting it back.”
The man then asked if she was an OAP and how much pension she received, while Jennifer reiterated that she could not afford the price he was asking.
He also asked if she had family she could borrow from, which led to Jennifer calling her ex husband.
She said: “I asked him if I could borrow £400 and he offered £250.
I then had to phone my bank in tears asking if they would extend my overdraft but while I was on the phone he just got up and left.”
Jennifer called the police after the man had left and was told it sounded like bogus selling, serious intimidation and theft. Officers are investigating.
She is now terrified whenever there is a knock on her door as she lives alone.
Jennifer said: “I was sitting crying my heart out, begging family for money because this big guy was in my house pushing me for cash.
“I just want to make sure people are vigilant because I would never have thought this would happen to me.
“All I want now is to be able to go to bed at night and not be worried about what he might do next.”
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