A STRING of elderly victims have been swindled out of thousands of pounds by fraudsters posing as workmen.

More than 20 people have reported being targeted by similar scams across Sussex.

Men knock on the doors of unsuspecting residents and claim they are from drainage company Dyno-Rod, saying they need to carry out emergency work.

They then demand that money is transferred over to them, or that people hand over their bank details, before taking the money and not completing any work.

One 73-year-old man from Hove lost £2,000 through the scam on January 25.

He said: “The victim said: “My doorbell went and there was a guy there who said he was carrying out work on the drains, he came and had a good look around the house.

“A second man came who looked very official and said they needed £25 to hire the Dyno-Rod equipment and they’d pay me back.

“He said that they don’t accept cash and they couldn’t take me to the cash machine because they’re not insured so asked for my card to take to the ATM.

“He wanted the PIN number so I gave him a card that’s not connected to my bank account. He came back saying that it didn’t work and asked for another one. I was very reluctant but he said he’d come back with the paperwork. They then wanted my full name and date of birth which made me suspicious so I called the bank and they said £2,000 had been removed.”

Police are urging anyone who has been a victim of this scam or has any information that could help with enquiries to report it online or call 101.