CLARE Gardaí have issued advice on identifying bogus trades people following an incident in the county last week.

On Monday, August 9 at 12.30 p.m. two men on foot called to a house in St. Joseph’s Terrace in Clarecastle.

They told the owner of the house that they were checking the house for leaks or dampness.

The lady had been waiting for the Council to paint her house and asked the men were they from the Council.

They replied that they had been sub-contracted by the Council and would require an upfront payment of €250 before they carried out any work.

The lady unfortunately paid the men and they left on foot without carrying out any work.

On foot of this incident, gardai are reiterating crime prevention advice in relation to bogus callers and rogue tradesmen.

They advise the following security checks and measures.

If you are not expecting callers, look out the window to see who is at your door or have a viewer fitted in your door. You can see who is outside without opening the door and are safer behind a closed door.

Have a door chain/limiter fitted to your front door and keep the chain on if you must open the door. There are electric doorbells that link to your mobile phone.

Make sure your back door is locked before you go to the front door

If you are going to engage, ask for ID – a genuine caller won’t mind!

Use recommended trades people, avoid using the services of cold callers.

The basic rule is if you don’t know the person at your door, you shouldn’t let them in.

If anxious contact your local Gardaí.