Gardai in Meath have issued an urgent scam warning after a man impersonating a member of the force called to elderly women's homes.
Two incidents happened last Friday, 30 September where a lone male approached an elderly women's front doors pretending to be a garda. One on occasion, a man asked if the woman had lost a sum of money before producing it.
He even had what appeared to be garda identification. The close call happened in the Carnaross area of Kells at around 11.45am
Thankfully, the lady was immediately suspicious of the visitor and pressed a panic alarm. The man fled in a navy saloon car.
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Later that day, a similar incident happened in Kilmessan. A lone man called to an elderly woman's home in the area between 12pm and 1pm. He said he was garda and also had some form of ID.
He claimed he had seen two youths running from the lady’s house with cash but the woman was also suspicious. She refused to open the door to the stranger before he eventually left.
Meath Gardai are warning people to be on high alert. They said: "If you noticed any suspicious vehicles or persons in these areas around these time, please contact your local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
"Don't open your door to anyone before you have confirmed who it is and what they want, even if this means ringing Gardaí to confirm they are who they say they are.
"We ask you to be vigilant and keep an eye on your neighbours, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. Report suspicious persons/vehicles to Gardaí immediately. REMEMBER IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT."
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