Gardai have advised the public to check the credentials of tradesmen offering to do work, and when in doubt to contact the local station, following the emergence of a number of rogue tradesmen in Co Kerry who appear to be targeting the elderly.
In recent weeks, a number of elderly people in rural areas have been persuaded to pay large sums of cash for work that was never carried out.
The bogus tradesmen arrived in vans offering to carry out work on drain pipes and guttering. The vans, with magnetic signs, looked convincing, according to the garda. However, the names on the vans were changed frequently.
There are also reports that rogue tradesmen "pretend" to carry out part of the work and then disappear. One pensioner handed over €5,800 for much-needed repair work on his house. He has not seen the tradesmen since.
A Garda spokesman said there have been incidents of rogue tradesmen in a number of counties in recent months. They advise people always to check the bona fides of workmen; to ask for company names, telephone numbers and business addresses; to take the registration numbers of vehicles; andto check if the company already has carried out work in the locality.
However, there are lots of genuine tradesmen offering work, the spokesman said. The bogus tradesmen should not be allowed to damage them.