An Garda Síochána has advised the public to be aware of possible scams in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
In a post on the An Garda Síochána Laois/Offaly Facebook page, gardaí warned the public about ‘bogus tradesman’ who might be trying to take advantage of people in the wake of the storm.
Gardaí have issued the following advice to the public:
- Ask for identification;
- Note their details; their description, car registration, direction of travel etc.;
- If you don’t know them or didn’t call them, don’t let them in;
- Fit a door viewer/chain/video doorbell;
- Lock the back door.
The ESB has stated that it has been made aware of scam texts purporting to come from ESB networks.
It is asking customers not to engage with the texts, not to share any personal information and block and report suspicious numbers.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Cyber Security Centre have also warned the public that it is aware of scam text messages in circulation.
It said that government departments and agencies or your bank will never phone, text, email or video call you unexpectedly asking for your bank details.
Users should exercise caution when receiving messages from unknown numbers.
Local coordination groups have been established in 19 local authority areas most impacted by Storm Eowyn, as 133,000 homes, farms, and businesses remain without power mostly in the west of the country.
274 Emergency Response Hubs have been established in key locations where people can go for basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access and shower facilities.
The European Union announced yesterday (Tuesday, January 28) that it was sending 17 generators to Ireland following a request for assistance relating to the power outages.
Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice, recently called on the government to provide a grant for generators to every household.