A COMMUNITY group has hit out at potential fraudsters trying to take advantage of the vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the Llanfyllin Covid-19 Volunteer Support Group have warned residents to be on their guard against fraudsters after being troubled when told about ppossible fraudulent activity.

Councillor Alexander said: “We have carefully organised our procedure for helping people, to try to prevent abuse of vulnerable residents. Yet on Monday (April 20) we heard of individuals pretending to be from our group offering to shop for elderly people.

"Please, please let’s get the message out there that if anybody asks for support from the Llanfyllin Covid-19 Volunteer Support Group the first point of contact will be Councillor Jane Carrington. We have organised it this way because Jane is so well known in the town.

"Jane will call from this number - 07707322600. She will put you in touch with someone trusted, someone local to you, preferably someone you know or at least recognise, perhaps another town councillor even. "If you have more complex needs, Jane will get in touch with the appropriate support services. We’ll encourage you to pay for any shopping over the telephone from shops like Spar and Tomlinson’s if you can. If you have to use cash we’ll make arrangements with you so you are absolutely clear how much you’re spending on what. Everybody is volunteering to help – nobody will ask you to pay for their time”.

Since the group formed a month ago, 80 generous people have offered to support others confined to their homes.

Volunteers from all areas of the town have been put in touch with 22 near neighbours who are self-isolating for a variety of reasons, many because of long-term illness.

They are helping with shopping, post and laundry, and some are collecting prescriptions on behalf of Community Connector Sheela Hughes and Llanfyllin Group Practice.

The group has sent a postcard through every door in the town to spread the word about the help on offer which includes a friendly phone call to anyone in need of a chat. Numbers for Cllr Carrington and Councillor Ann Williams (01691 648293 or 0797631047) are on the postcard.

The group’s Facebook page contains Welsh Government and Powys County Council official communications, GP and shopping information, residents’ queries and the occasional light-hearted post often involving sheep.