A woman has been left terrified to be home alone after a bogus meter reader bluffed his way into her house and stole at least £100.
Her daughter has now warned others and sent a message to the "scumbag" who she said has left her mum scared in her new Midlothian home, which she only moved into weeks ago.
The man arrived at the woman's door in Dalkeith on Tuesday and told her brother he was there to read the electricity meter.
But after gaining access he left after stealing money from a purse in the home and also took coins which were in the house.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Kelly Dowdeswell said she doesn't know how the people who do this sleep at night.
Police Scotland has confirmed they are investigating the incident, and the woman's electricity company has confirmed no one was working in the area at the time.
Kelly's mum, 59, recently suffered a stroke and only moved to her new home weeks ago. Kelly says she has been left "terrified" by the incident.
"My mum is absolutely terrified being on her own. She won’t answer the door.
"I’m doing this to make others aware of people like this. As if times are not hard enough and seeing my own mother terrified is shocking she should feel safe.
"My mum has just had a stroke and had her brother staying as he’s in her support bubble.
"My mum was sleeping and someone knocked my mums door and told my uncle he was there to read the meter.
"As my mum has only moved in two/three weeks ago my uncle thought nothing of it and let him in.
"I just don't want it to happen to any other older people."
Asked what message she would send to man, Kelly said: "I think they are a pure scumbag.
"I don’t know how they sleep at night."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 4.10pm on Tuesday, 16 March, we received a report of a theft from a property on Place Charente in Dalkeith which is believed to have happened around 9am.
“Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 2125 of, 16 March.”
Colin Mathieson, media and marketing executive with Advice Direct Scotland, which runs Scotland’s national consumer advice service, said: “Scammers are responsible for disgraceful acts against Scottish citizens that can have lasting negative effects.
“Checking the credentials of any doorstep caller is important to make sure they are who they claim to be.
“Doorstep scammers are using increasingly convincing tactics to appear genuine, including counterfeit branding on uniforms and calling cards.
“People genuinely representing energy suppliers and other companies won’t mind you checking with their employer, using contact details that can be found on statements, bills, or official company websites.
“If you are at all unsure of someone attending your home, you are entitled to refuse access. Additionally, you can report any instances of harassment or inappropriate behaviour of doorstep callers to the police, using 999 in an emergency, and 101 in a non-emergency situation.
“You can report suspected scams and suspicious activity to consumeradvice.scot on 0808 164 6000 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday), or by using our quick reporting tool at scamwatch.scot. By reporting suspected scams, you can help to protect the more vulnerable members of our communities.”
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