Help support Cork Safety Alerts by becoming a ‘Supporter’ and donating a small amount each month to help with the running of our website, server and organisation! Click here to become a CSA Supporter.

Gardaí have today arrested a man in his 20s in relation to a fraud incident in the Corbally area of Limerick on the 1st March, 2020.

Gardaí received a report that a man had called to a house claiming to work for PhoneWatch. The man offered the home owner an upgrade to their security system for a fee, which they agreed to.

The transaction was completed but the home owner was given back a different bank card. The real bank card was then used later on that day to withdraw €700 from an ATM.

An investigation was carried out by Gardaí form Mayorstone Park and a in his 20s was arrested this morning, 5th March, 2020 in Co. Clare. He is currently detained at Henry Street Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Gardaí have received other reports of this type of fraud occurring in recent days and investigators from Mayorstone Park are liaising with Gardaí in Cork and Tipperary. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who has been a victim of a similar incident to contact their local Garda Station.

Speaking at Henry Street Garda Station, Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Ber Leetch said “If you suspect that anyone who calls to your door selling goods or services is not who they say they are, tell them you are not interested and call the Gardaí immediately. Genuine trade’s people or a salesperson won’t be offended by any queries the Gardaí may make.”

Gardaí in Cork, Tipperary and Limerick are urging members of the public to be vigilant following a number of scams in the area where a man, claiming to be from the company Phone Watch, has taken debit cards off people and then withdrew cash from their accounts.

One such incident occurred on Saturday 29th February 2020 at approximately 3.30pm when the man, who is reported to have dark hair and glasses, called to a house in Clonmel, County Tipperary, and was invited in after claiming he was an employee at Phone Watch.

This man, who possesses apparent Phone Watch paraphernalia and literature, stated he would upgrade their system for a fee. When the victim handed over his debit card for payment, the man asked the injured party to enter his pin number into a small device he was carrying. He then retained the debit card and handed back a different one.
Cash was then withdrawn from a number of banks in Tipperary and Limerick on Saturday 29th February 2020 and Sunday 1st March 2020.

While investigations are ongoing into these incidents, Gardaí are appealing to the public to always be careful providing details to anyone not known to them calling to their home, particularly bank details.

If you are unsure about the bona fides of any caller, do not invite them into your home and contact your local Garda Station who will assist you in verifying their details.

Anyone with information in relation to incidents of this nature are asked to contact their local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Want to get €5, absolutely free? Sign up to the ‘Smart’ Debit Card – Curve today, and earn a fiver on us! Find out more here.