A man and a woman called at her house in Westminister Avenue, Whitefield, at 2pm on Thursday saying they needed to check her electricity meter.
The pensioner let them in -- but shortly afterwards she grabbed the telephone and the couple fled empty-handed in a blue car.
The man was described as being in his 20s, with greasy hair swept back. He was wearing a yellow coat with blue stripes down the sleeves.
He was accompanied by a white woman of similar age, who is 5ft 5in tall with long black hair. She was wearing a floral dress and a black coat.
Residents in the area are being warned to check the indentification of anyone who calls at the door.
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