Don't let just anyone inside your house and don't even open your door if you're not sure about someone.

Police offer this advice after charging an alleged scammer they say tried to bilk victims of cash after telling false tales of misfortune at their doorsteps.

A suspicious woman was reported to be knocking on doors and asking for money around King William Street and Victoria Avenue North just after 7 p.m. Sunday.

"Another report from a different person in the area also indicated that a woman had knocked on her door and provided false stories and urgent emergency situations in hopes of obtaining cash while entering through the doorway inside," police said.

Police arrested the woman and found she was in violation of her probation, which barred her from knocking on doors asking for money.

Valerie Depledge, 48, of Hamilton, is charged with two counts of unlawfully being in an dwelling, fraud under $5,000, five counts of failing to comply with probation and cocaine possession.