Donegal residents are being reminded to take steps to beware of bogus callers and rogue traders.
There has been an increase in reports of suspicious callers in the Letterkenny and Lifford areas.
While no offences were detected or reported, Gardaí are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Garda spokesperson Grainne Doherty said: “At this time of the year we often receive reports about bogus callers. Such callers may offer services such as powerwashing, painting, selling goods, acting under false pretences etc. They prefer to target the more vulnerable and people who live alone.”
It is better to be safe than sorry, gardaí say, as they issue this advice:
- Do not open your door to anyone before you are confident that they are known to you or that they have a genuine reason to be there.
- Do not allow them access to your home for any reason and do not provide them with any personal details.
- Use a chain lock for added security.
- Sometimes these callers can be intimidating and often refuse to take no for an answer. Contact Gardaí immediately should you encounter such a caller and try to give as much information as possible, description of person, registration number, direction of travel etc.
- We ask you to be vigilant when out and about and report suspicious people/vehicles/activity to us immediately.
- We ask your listeners to please advise vulnerable family members and friends in relation to bogus callers.