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Gardaí in Cork has stepped up patrols targeting fake traders after identifying some 50 people involved in the illegitimate home repair business in the city alone.
Superintendent Mick Comyns said Gardaí has identified more than 30 separate incidents of illegitimate home repair services offered to people across the city in the past two weeks.
“In Cork City, we have identified as many as 50 people who we believe are traveling through the city with the sole objective of trying to defraud people by offering services such as construction, repairs and landscaping,” he said.
“These people can even damage your property and then inform you that you need an urgent repair.
“If they offer you services from someone who cold knocks on your door and you don’t think it is genuine, give us a call. I would also ask if anyone feels that he, or someone you know, paid for construction work or other services that were not performed or that were deficient, to call any Garda station and report the matter. “
Among these incidents of rogue merchants, and as a result of checkpoints with welfare officials, the Supt Comyns said that around 70 people have now been identified for further investigation by welfare for alleged fraudulent claims.
His comments came as the Gardaí set up a major checkpoint on the city’s busy South Link Rd today.
Additional resources, including gardaí uniforms and detectives, have been deployed to conduct patrols throughout the city.
Added to this is the community gardaí and gardaí who are already conducting patrols and assigned to investigate these types of incidents.
Crime Prevention Officer Sgt. Tony Davis urged anyone who hears of bogus merchants operating in their area to alert elderly or vulnerable neighbors and to inform the gardai.
“If you suspect that anyone who knocks on your door selling goods or services is not who they say they are, tell them you are not interested and call the gardaí immediately,” he said.
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