A NARBERTH pensioner has warned others to be vigilant, after a cold caller promised her £2,500.

Brenda Merecki, 69, received a call from a woman claiming to work for the Financial Ombudsman, who told her she was owed money by Barclays Bank.

The woman, calling herself Emily, knew Mrs Merecki's name, address and telephone number.

Mrs Merecki said she suspected a scam, but went along with the call.

"She said you can have your money back and we’re not going to charge you a penny," said Mrs Merecki.

"Then she said 'what will happen now is that I will send a solicitor to your house, because there are a few in the area'

"She gave me the solicitor's name, and said 'she can come to your house and give you a cheque for this money, but you’ve got to pay taxes on it, so I want you to go to a shop and buy an iTunes voucher'."

The woman instructed Mrs Merecki to buy a voucher - at a cost of more than £100 - and to tell the shopkeeper it was for personal use.

She then told Mrs Merecki to call her back on 020 7193 5253 once this had been done.

"She said 'give me a ring when you’re back from the shop and I’ll send a solicitor to your house to pick it up, she will stamp it for you, and then your cheque will pass straight away," said Mrs Merecki.

"I said 'I might be five minutes late, because I’m going to go to the police station so they can meet the solicitor'.

"I told her 'I know this is a scam'."

"Thankfully that was the end of it," she said.

"But I think people should know, especially older people.

"I get these calls all the time, but this one had all my details, it's quite frightening."

Mrs Merecki is not the first person to receive such a call.

Last year, HMRC warned that more than 1,500 similar calls were made, with householders told to go and buy digital vouchers or gift cards.

Conmen then sell the codes on, or purchase high-value products with them, at the victim's expense.

To report fraud, click here, or call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

You can also contact police using the 101 non-emergency line.