Building suppliers targeted by crooks

Westmeath is one of several counties that have seen building suppliers and agricultural providers targeted by scammers, according to An Garda Síochána.

Gardaí are investigating a number of reports of people calling to retail premises and providing fraudulent credit card details in order to purchase building and agricultural material.

Once the transaction is authorised, they leave the premises with the goods and it is later discovered that the card details provided are fraudulent.

Gardaí are appealing to the public and in particular those working at building and agricultural material providers who might have been victims of theft in recent months to come forward.

According to the force, a number of incidents have been detected since December 2022 and have occurred in: Westmeath, Leitrim, Kildare, Monaghan, Tipperary, Laois, Meath, Waterford, Clare, Limerick, Kerry, Offaly, Cork and Wexford.

“These incidents have predominantly occurred at hardware stores, builders providers and local cooperatives,” a garda spokesperson said, adding that an incident room has been established in Thurles Garda Station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed.

Gardaí in Tipperary are now appealing to any potential victims, at any location, who have not yet contacted them to do so at Thurles on 0504 25100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station, so that a full investigation can be conducted.