A Newton Abbot pensioner has spoken of the fear she endured after being targeted by phone scammers who could have taken her home.

Marie Dodsworth is a 70-year-old great grandmother and former market worker who lives in sheltered accommodation bought by her late husband, Frank.

Last month, a woman called Kathleen phoned who had extensive knowledge of Mrs Dodsworth's financial affairs and claimed to be from a government department called the Ministry of Justice and Finance.

Mrs Dodsworth was told that for 26 years she had been overcharged for writing cheques and was owed £1,400.

A 'manager', Mark Wilson, then came on the line and said actually the amount due back was £41,000.

'I thought £41,000, what are they on about?' said Mrs Dodsworth.

'But then he said come on, this is for all the cheques you've written for 26 years.

'I thought yes, this building's been up 26 years and my husband Frank was the first one to move in and his first wife was called Muriel so perhaps they were mixing her up with me as my initial is also M.'

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