A PENSIONER had her life savings stolen by conmen who drove her to the bank in her own car to withdraw cash for non-existent work at her Bradford home.

Margaret Foster, 82, handed over £1,900 after being duped by two men who called at her bungalow in Acre Crescent, Eccleshill.

They told Mrs Foster that her neighbour was having their roof done for £3,000, but that they could do her roof for £1,900.

One of the men then drove Mrs Foster to Santander bank in Shipley – in her own car – where she withdrew the money.

While they were gone, the other man ripped tiles from Mrs Foster’s roof and threw them into her garden – possibly leaving her with a £4,000 to £5,000 bill for repair work.

Her daughter, Jane Hinchcliffe, said: “They drove her car and her into Shipley to go to Santander, which is really freaking me out more than anything.

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“It is awful. She is really down now. She is normally quite clued up, but she said they were so convincing. And she actually did need her roof doing. I am just thankful, because they could have got nasty with her. It is only money – at least she is in one piece.”

The men targeted Mrs Foster at about 1.30pm on Monday. Mrs Hinchcliffe said the man who took her mum to the bank stopped the car, a light green Nissan Micra, on the way back near the Nisa store on Canal Road, Bradford, and got out for a few minutes. Police said both men were white and possibly using a white Transit van.

One was aged in his 40s, chubby, about 5ft 6ins tall, and spoke with a local accent. The other man was believed to be slightly younger, about 6ft tall, of average build, and possibly had black curly hair. Both were wearing navy blue woollen hats and navy blue boiler suits.

Mrs Hinchcliffe said the driver had to ask her mum where Shipley was, and added: “I would like them to come to my house and try it. I would like to find them.

“And people need to warn their relatives to be on their guard.”

She added: “The police were amazing. I cannot praise them enough.”

A Crowdfunding appeal has been started to get Mrs Foster some money back.

Her granddaughter, Fiona Hunt, said: “My nan is one of the most wonderful people I know. She is one of my best friends and I am not only angry and disgusted, but heartbroken.

“This has totally broken my nan – she is even blaming herself. I’m just going to try to raise some money for her really to assure her that there are still good people in the world and she has people that care about her.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fiona-hunt. Anyone with information on the incident can contact police on 101 and quote crime reference number 13160429002.

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