“Meals on Wheels” in Ballina are advising the public of “bogus” trade people knocking on doors in the locality over the last number of weeks.
A number of incidents have been reported where people have parted with their cash to get a job done, and no service was delivered.
Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley called into “Meals on Wheels” staff on Teeling St., in Ballina this morning and they outlined their concerns for many elderly and others in the Ballina area – as these bogus trade people are operating in the area, just last week, Midwest News heard of similar situations in the Dromore West area of county Sligo.
The culprits knock on random doors and offer the householder a service such as clearing gutters/ drainpipes and removing moss from a premises roof.
They present, making reference to reputable businesses in the area, who they claim have used their services.
The warning from “Meals on Wheels” is to check with the people/ businesses being referred to.
The” bogus” trades people, sometimes a single trades person, then asks for cash to hire equipment to carry out the job, and once the cash is in hand – hundreds of euro in many cases, the tradesperson is never seen again.
The incidents have been reported to the Gardai in Ballina and investigations are ongoing.
The clear message from Ballina “Meals on Wheels” to their service users and the general public – is not to engage at the door with anyone offering a service that you have not sought.