Rab and Juliet Cairney of R&J Property Services were alarmed to learn that one of their customers, Moira Johnston, had been approached by two men at approximately 6pm on Friday after she spotted them suspiciously investigating a nearby property.
One of them falsely claimed to be Rab's brother and said he was trying to get him some business.

Thankfully, they left without further incident, but Moira was left terrified by the ordeal and couldn't sleep that night fearing that her King Street house might be broken into.

Moira, whose 13 year-old daughter has special needs, said: "I watched them look through the windows of the house and one of the men then started to go round the side when he spotted me. Without hesitation, he came straight towards my house.

"I felt I had to open the door because my daughter gets upset about things and it would unsettle her if I didn't answer the door. I wish I hadn't.

"He said he was in the area to get some business for his brother. Meanwhile the other guy knocked on my neighbour's door before coming to mine.

"I said I knew Rab and that seemed to throw him. He then said, well 'you know his number', said bye and walked away from King Street. I thought it was strange that they didn't have a van.

"Something like this has never happened before – it was scary. I felt if they had wanted to they could easily have over-powered me and got in to my house."

Rab, who is not associated with the men, was left outraged by the incident as his real brother died some years previously.

The couple have now issued a warning to all locals not to open their doors to unexpected callers and to call the police if they suspect something unusual.

Juliet said: "We've already been to see the police about this because someone is posing as Robert's brother. Obviously, that's not true.

"These men are saying they're doing people's bathrooms and kitchens, which is what we do.

"They actually said 'you know the van, the one with the Saltire', which is what we have and it is well known around the town."

Rab said: "We've done a lot of work for elderly people and they trust us. We've worked for two and a half years to get that reputation and these guys are abusing it.

"We don't cold-call people, when we go to people's houses they know we're coming."

As a direct result of Moira's experience, Rab and Juliet have decided to invest in photographic ID cards, and will wear their branded jumpers at all times.

Tayside Police have also urged locals to remain vigilant in the face of cold callers.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Following a report of male 'cold calling' looking for work and mentioning local contacts, police would like Montrose residents to be extra vigilant, checking identification and if suspicious do not allow access to your home address.

"If they are driving a vehicle, note the registration number and call the police."

The men are described as approximately 5'9 and 5'11 in height and in their late 20s. One had jet black hair while the other had tints of grey or light highlights in his hair. Neither man was dressed in work clothes nor did they carry any identification.

Anyone with any information should contact Tayside Police on 0845 600 5705.