Gardaí in Donegal have urged people to be on alert for “the tarmac scam” following another surge in bogus tradespeople.
Some residents have fallen victim to rogue traders using gravel chippings covered with engine oil to appear like tarmac. In other cases they are not laying tarmac at the right depth and using the right type of materials to form a lasting road surface.
The conmen may offer a low cost, but they can turn threatening.
This week, Garda Claire Rafferty issued a community alert and said: “Please be vigilant and inform Gardaí immediately should you have callers at your home or business who are offering to lay tarmac.
“A man or men typically go door-to-door, claiming to be a builder/s working on a contract who have some leftover tarmac and offering to conduct work on a driveway or surroundings of a building at a low cost.
“These conmen may target elderly, vulnerable residents or businesses and claim to be official contractors working on roadworks to add credibility. They often increase the cost during the course of the work claiming that the job has required more material than expected and they may then start issuing threats. They use a variety of work vehicles which often look legitimate with company names, logos etc. on them.”
Bogus callers may also offer services such as powerwashing, gutter cleaning, painting or they may be selling goods such as tools, generators etc.
Gardaí have also recieved reports of bogus callers calling to houses purporting to be there on behalf of local businesses to that area. To add legitimacy to their story, they may use the names of local business owners and staff in conversation with the homeowner.
Garda Rafferty said: “We advise people not to engage with such callers. Don’t 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. Use a chain lock for added security. Bogus 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.
“Do not agree to have any type of work carried out by anybody who calls to your home. Genuine tradesmen/builders do not usually call door to door seeking work, they advertise in papers, online etc.
“We ask everybody to be vigilant when out and about and to report any suspicious people/vehicles to us immediately. Keep an eye on elderly/vulnerable family members and neighbours and advise them in relation to bogus callers.”
