A WARNING has been fired over a man in the Aveley area thought to be posing as a trading standards officer.

On Friday, January 10, a man is said to have shown fake ID in an effort to obtain money from three elderly residents living at the same property.

The trickster asked about work that had previously been carried out at the property and for personal information such as telephone numbers.

Within 20 minutes the victims started receiving calls from people pretending to be from the local courts requesting further information and money.

Police have been informed of the incident.

The man is described as a white man, dressed smartly, with long-ish hair and a light Irish accent.

Cllr Angie Gaywood, the council's lead on public protection, said: "This shows it is all the more important that people take extra care when answering their door to strangers.

"Genuine visitors will have no objection to you ringing and checking that they are who they say they are, so please do so."

If you think you were visited by this fraudster or if you want to check a council ID please call 01375 652955, if you feel threatened call 999.