RESIDENTS are being warned against being tricked by bogus council tax valuation officers.

A pensioner from Radcliffe has already been robbed by a smartly-dressed duo, and others have also made complaints. Police are urging residents in the borough to double check every caller's ID.

The 70-year-old woman, who does not want to be named, said: "Earlier this year, I got a letter from the Valuation Office asking me to complete a form for the revaluation of my council tax band. I called the council to confirm that the letter was genuine and they confirmed that it was. When these two men came to my door and I saw their passes, I assumed they were genuine too."

She became suspicious when she heard the men opening and closing drawers, and she frightened them off by brandishing a brass ornament. However, the two men, who were displaying fake ID badges, stole £100 and two Christmas presents.

"I hope the police catch these terrible people and punish them. I had left the money out to repay my son who helped me when I was recovering from my injury. If they had chosen another victim it could have meant two weeks' rent or heating."

The men are usually seen in pairs, but also operate separately. One is described as white, aged 40 and 5ft 10in, and the other is Asian, in his mid-20s, 5ft 6in and displayed a fake ID badge with the name Mohammed Bakhir.

A Bury Council spokesman said: "The council and the valuation office make every effort to arrange appointments with householders in advance, and confirm these by letter. All our staff carry identity cards that incorporate a photograph. If you are at all concerned about the identity of the officer, ask them to wait outside while you validate their presence with our office."

A spoesman for Bury Police added: "Further incidents have been reported with offenders using a variety of plausible stories to try and gain entry to peoples homes, especially the elderly."

The number for the Valuation Office is in the phone book under 'Valuation Office' and on the Where to Find Us page on the VOA website at www.voa.gov.uk The number for the council tax office in Bury is (0161) 253 5095.