'Remember—ID can be fake': Scam fears grow as gardaí confirm new incidents in Limerick communities

AS SCAMS grow ever more convincing and organised, gardaí in Limerick have renewed warnings about cold callers and fraudulent phone activity following incidents in the Ardnacrusha and Roxboro areas.

Sergeant Tony Miniter of Limerick Divisional Roads Policing Unit said:

"We have become aware of cold callers operating in Ardnacrusha area... Some of these callers can be genuine but we must always remain vigilant. Cold calling is a tactic often used by criminals involved in bogus tradesmen scams or distraction burglaries."

"They’ll claim to be from a service provider or offering work, but their real aim may be to take money, gather personal details, or get inside your home. Sometimes they operate in pairs—one keeps you talking while the other tries to enter the property."

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Sgt Miniter said the key message is Stop – Think – Check. "Stop before you open the door, think about whether you’re expecting anyone, and check who’s there using a doorbell camera, door viewer or through a window. Always use a door chain if you have one and if you do decide to open the door, but I recommend not to open the door."

"Ask for identification, but remember—ID can be fake. Close the door and independently verify who they are. Use a phone number from a bill or the company’s official website, not the number they give you. Genuine callers won’t pressure you or insist on coming inside."

Sgt Miniter added that individuals are entitled to say no. "You don’t have to buy anything, sign anything, or let anyone into your home. A polite “No thank you” and closing the door is perfectly acceptable. Your safety comes first."

If you feel intimidated or you believe a crime is happening, call 999 or 112 immediately.

"If it’s suspicious behaviour but not an emergency, contact your local Garda station. Reports like these help us identify bogus callers and protect communities. And of course, look out for neighbours and friends, particularly those who are isolated. A quick check-in, especially after they’ve had a caller, can prevent them from being taken advantage of. Community awareness is a huge part of preventing these crimes."

A male in his 60’s also reported to gardaí in Roxboro that he had received a phone call from someone claiming to be from a credit-card provider. The caller said there were fraudulent transactions on his account and asked him to confirm personal and account details. 

Sgt Miniter explained: "The man believed the call was genuine and gave the information. The following day, he received a legitimate call from his actual provider informing him of suspicious activity — and it then became clear that the first call had been fraudulent. Thankfully, the card was cancelled in time, and no money was taken, so the individual did not suffer any financial loss."

"These scams are becoming more sophisticated. Criminals can sound very convincing, and they often create a sense of urgency."

"Contact your bank or card provider immediately," concluded Sgt Miniter. "They can freeze or cancel cards and prevent transactions. Then report the matter to your local Garda station. Even if you haven’t lost money, it’s important that we’re aware of the activity so we can track patterns and warn others."