VULNERABLE ELDERLY women in Wellington are being targeted by scammers posing as builders.

Two incidents have been reported across the town, one in December and one at the beginning of January.

Avon and Somerset Police say the first incident saw a man pose as a builder and enter an 80-year-old woman's home and the other saw a quick-thinking change of tactics that landed the conman with the victim's pin number.

PC Mick Dunn said: "We are looking for a man who is believed to be olive-skinned and aged between 30-40.

"We believe it was the same man in both incidents but he could be working with someone else.

"One incident involved a man posing as a builder to enter the woman's home.

"While the woman was distracted, money was stolen from her.

"Another incident started out as a man posing as a builder, but as he saw a collection of gardening magazines through the woman's window, he claimed she had missed subscription payments and was able to get away from the house with the 89-year-old woman's card details and pin number."

Police are now asking residents to look out for elderly friends and family in order to prevent these incidents.

PC Dunn added: "Don't be afraid of being rude. If you're unsure, genuine workers will be carrying ID and will be happy to wait until you're happy with their identity.

"Don't let anyone in the house that is cold-calling on doors, and if you're having a worker to your house and you're concerned, make sure you have a trusted neighbour or friend with you."