Gardaí are warning elderly people not to hand over money to callers following a rise in the number of people calling to houses and attempting to fraudulently obtain money from older residents.
The fraudsters are using a well known ruse in which they call to a householder, offer to carry out work on the home, and demand payment for the work upfront. The work is never done. This type of crime is an ongoing problem in the Galway area.
Gardaí are urging people not to let anyone they do not know into their homes, and not to hand over money to anyone they are unsure of. If in doubt about a caller, ask him/her to wait at the door, close the door, and call the gardaí. If someone calls claiming to be from an organisation, always ask to see identification.
For more information or to report a suspicious caller, contact Galway Garda station at (091 ) 538000.
