Concern over handyman scammer group targeting 'vulnerable' and elderly locals in Tipperary

A local Tipperary councillor has warned locals to be on high alert for home improvement scammers in their area after recent reported encounters.

Fianna Fáil Councillor for Carrick-on-Suir Imelda Goldsboro alerted locals in the Ballingarry and Killenaule area to potential handyman scammers calling to their door and offering services, saying the men may ask for unreasonably high payment up front in cash.

In a post online, Cllr Goldsboro cautioned locals to watch out for the scammers in a "silver van", adding that "they are very convincing and determined to carry out housing maintenance works".

Speaking to Tipperary Live, Cllr Goldsboro explained; "It's a few men in this silver van, calling from door to door and targeting the elderly and vulnerable people in rural areas".

They're offering lots of odd jobs including paintings, car washing, fixing sockets and even cleaning gutters. They're very, very convincing," Goldsboro added.

The Carrick Councillor told locals to advise anyone who had not received the alert via social media to not engage with the scammers.

"I think there's quite a lot of people that are not on social media, that are living on their own, or that are vulnerable, and if their neighbor or family member could just give them a quick phone call and tell them not to engage with these individuals, they are trying to extract cash and payment upfront".

Goldsboro has been in contact with local gardaí about the situation, and encourages those with any information to contact the local garda station by phone at 0504 25100.

The men are the latest in a long list of scammers across the county this year, with a group of men offering 'cut price tarmac work' in the Rosegreen area earlier this summer.

READ MORE - WARNING: Concern in Tipperary over group of men offering 'cut price tarmac work'