TRADING Standards bosses have issued a warning after elderly residents in Askam, Kirkby and Broughton were targeted by fraudsters.

Earlier this month a group of men in a white van visited a number of properties in the village posing as ex-convicts.

Residents told The Mail that the men attempted to sell cheap items for hugely-inflated prices.

A number of people say they reported the men to police but the men were not found.

One resident said: "We had cold callers posing as being on the ex-convict/ex-offender scheme and selling items out of their duffle bags.

"They had fake laminated charity ID.

"The items they sell are from the pound shop and they sell for £10 upwards.

"The men are in a white van and were in Kirkby, Broughton and Askam.

"In spring when they came they stole from the church collection box in Kirkby.

"They target every house and we have a high number of elderly people living here.

"The police have been informed by several residents yesterday and sent out a police car - we don’t know if they found them.

"Police say there has never been an ex-offender scheme and cold calling isn’t allowed in Cumbria.

"The men may be heading to Ulverston or Millom today as they seem to go to a different area every day."

A spokesman for Cumbria Trading Standards issued regarding advice and guidance for dealing with doorstep callers and advised residents to always say 'no' to any cold-callers.

“Consumers should be extremely cautious when approached by any doorstep callers offering to sell goods or conduct work on their property," the spokesman said.

"They often use persuasive or aggressive tactics to get people to agree to have work carried out and then charge far more than was quoted for poor quality work or goods that may not even be required.

“Trading Standards advice is to always say ‘NO’ to any cold callers and we ask that you look out for your elderly or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours.”