Alert over bogus Cork repairmen

GARDAÍ and Cork City Council issued a warning last night about bogus pipe repair callers preying on the elderly.

A spokesman for City Hall said they have received information that people claiming to be from the council’s water services section are calling to homes in certain parts of the city to repair leaking pipes.

He stressed that all Cork City Council water services staff carry official photo identification cards issued by the council’s head of personnel.

“These identification cards must be produced upon request,” he said.

“The official identification card also contains a telephone number you can contact to verify the details should you wish to do so.”

The latest incident of a suspected bogus caller occurred in Bishopstown on Wednesday.

A council crew was in the Bishopscourt Road area conducting leak detection and investigative works alongside a contractor’s crew.

However, a resident nearby approached the workers and told them that a man claiming to work for the council had called to his home saying that they had detected a leak on his property and that it needed to be repaired.

The resident became suspicious and brought his concerns to the council crew, who in turn informed the gardaí and city officials.

The council spokesman said they are conscious that householders are concerned about pipes and leaks at this time of the year, and that conmen may try to prey on that fear.

He urged householders to be extra vigilant and to request to see such callers’ photo ID cards before allowing them access to their home or property.