Garda warning over significant increase in 'bogus' callers to Limerick homes
GARDAI are warning of a significant increase in the number of bogus tradesmen who are calling to homes across Limerick.
Provisional figures suggest the increase could be as high as 15% compared to 2021 and gardai are appealing to all householders to be vigilant about who they let into their home.
"If I get a caller to my home, I check who it is through the peephole. If I do not know the person, I will not open my door.
I will ask them what they want through the locked door and then I will make up my mind whether I open the door or not, in most cases I do not," said divisional crime prevention officer Sergeant Ber Leetch.
"This may seem rude but it is better to be safe rather than sorry," she added.
Separately, gardaí say they are aware of an increase in the number of cases where people are impersonating gardaí.
Typically, this is where a fraudster pretends to be a garda, generally in plain clothes.
Some of those who claim to be gardai state they are investigating the discovery of counterfeit cash in the area while others are known to have told householders they are performing a security check in response to an increase in burglaries..
"Either way the conman is there to get money from you. An Garda Síochána will not cold call to a house and request to do either of these. Genuine Gardaí will always provide details to allow you to confirm their identity with the local garda station and will wait patiently outside while you do so," said Sgt Leetch.