GARDAÍ are calling on people to be vigilant for elderly family members and neighbours following an incident of a suspected door-to-door bogus caller in Letterkennny.
Gardaí say they have received reports of a man calling to houses selling ornaments and jigsaws.
He told a different story at each house in relation to his situation, and was requesting money.
One resident in the area was very concerned for an elderly neighbour because she had left the man in question unattended on the door step while she went to get her purse and she had left her door open.
Thankfully, the man did not enter the house but this caller requested that we advise people in relation to such callers and how best to keep safe in that situation.
The caller in this instance may not have been a bogus caller but it is always better to be safe than sorry, Gardaí advised.
Bogus callers may offer services such as powerwashing, painting and selling goods.
They prefer to target the more vulnerable and people who live alone.
Gardaí urge people not to open their door to anyone before you are confident that they are known to you or that they have a genuine reason to be there.
They advise using a chain lock for added security and never to leave anyone unattended on the doorstep while you go and fetch money, as this could result in that person entering the home.
A garda spokesperson said: “Do not allow access to your home for any reason. Do not keep large amounts of cash in your home. 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 and direction of travel.
“We ask everyone to be vigilant when out and about and to always report suspicious people/vehicles to us immediately.”
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