A woman claimed to be a nurse in an attempt to get into a pensioner’s house.
The bogus caller told the elderly woman she was there to give her a Covid vaccination.
She only left the Heathhall address when the pensioner told her she’d already had the jag.
Police are now on the hunt for the fraudster and are warning others to be on their guard.
A spokesman said: “Officers are appealing for the public’s assistance after a report of a female attending at an address of an elderly occupant at Penman Gardens, Heathhall, Dumfries, at around 4pm last Friday claiming to be a nurse and offering Covid-19 vaccinations to the elderly occupant in an attempt to gain entry to the property.”
The daughter of the pensioner, who asked not to be named, is also warning people not to fall for the scam.
She said: “The pretend nurse turned up at the house wearing a blue outfit.
“My mum is quite sharp thankfully but other people may fall for this.
“It was only when I dropped her shopping off that night that she told me about it and I contacted the police.
“The woman wasn’t aggressive and was nice by all accounts. But I want people to know this is happening.
“People are very trusting of the nursing profession so some may just let them in. That’s my worry.”
The pensioner received a phonecall on Friday morning asking if she lived at a different address, which prompted her to correct the caller.
The person on the phone asked about the Covid vaccine before the call was ended.
It was later that day the bogus nurse appeared.
The daughter added: “Mum had her first vaccine on Wednesday and told the woman that.
“She told my mum she was here to give her the second vaccine but my mum said she didn’t need it.
“The woman wanted to check where she’d been given the vaccine and tried twice to get into the house but my mum said it was fine and eventually she left.”
A health board spokesman also warned people not to fall for the scam.
He said: “Anyone set to be in receipt of a Covid-19 vaccination will be contacted either by a letter, a phone call from their GP practice or by the local community nursing team.
“If anyone is in any doubt about the approach they receive, they should call their GP practice who are co-ordinating the vaccinations and will be able to advise on arrangements.
“Please note that at no point during an invitation to be vaccinated will you be asked to provide banking details.”
A Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating an incident whereby a female attempted to gain access to a house whilst purporting to be a nurse.
“In an emergency they should contact the police on 101”.
