Cork gardaí to tackle bogus trade calls surge

GARDAÍ are to mount a major campaign to tackle bogus tradesmen who are defrauding elderly people in Cork city out of tens of thousands of euro.

Gardaí hope to speak to elderly people today, offering them advice on how to avoid becoming victims of the rogue workers who have struck in several different parts of the city in recent weeks.

Teams of gardaí will be on hand to distribute advice as people collect their pensions at more than 30 post offices in the city and suburbs.

They are taking the unusual step following a significant rise in such crimes and the fear that the economic downturn will lead more crooks to prey on the elderly.

One pensioner was intimidated into getting some minor work done and then taken to a credit union and intimidated again into withdrawing nearly €20,000.

Cork City Garda Division crime prevention officer Sergeant Tony Davis said gardaí, under the auspices of Operation Ant, were continuing to target these rogue traders and have had some success.

“A number of them are already before the courts,” he said.

The traders call uninvited to their victims’ homes advising the need for painting to be done or general repairs such as guttering or roofs.

Saying “No” doesn’t often matter, as Sgt Davis explained.

“They called to the house of a man in his 70s on the south side of the city. They offered to paint his door, but the man said no. He went to mass and when he returned the door was painted. They wanted €500 for a job which took a few minutes,” Sgt Davis said.

Fortunately, the pensioner said he didn’t have the money, despite the intimidation he faced and contacted the gardaí.

Sgt Davis said gardaí would also be calling to financial institutions in an effort to make staff more aware of the problem.

“We want staff at credit unions and banks to watch out if elderly or vulnerable people withdraw large amounts of cash. Staff should check if they are okay, or if they have strangers with them. If they have any suspicion they should contact gardaí immediately,” the sergeant said.

Gardaí believe the number of such incidents reported to them may only be the tip of the iceberg.

“There are a few different gangs doing this. It is an attack on the most vulnerable people in society,” Sgt Davis said.