Third Age briefing volunteers about bogus callers

Nationwide listening service says it regularly speak to callers about home security and home safety and work closely with local community gardai about safety tips for older people

SeniorLine, the nationwide listening service for older people founded in Summerhill, has briefed its volunteers about incidents of bogus callers pretending to be gardai who are calling to the homes older people in Meath and surrounding counties in recent months.

Communications Manager Anne Dempsey said their volunteers regularly speak to callers about home security and home safety and work closely with local community gardai about safety tips for older people.

While not wanting to frighten older people, Ms Dempsey said their volunteers have been made aware that these bogus caller incidents have been happening and they will drop it into conversation and remind people to be vigilant about callers to their homes and to contact their local garda station if they are in any doubt.

She said they know many of their callers very well and know the ones who are living on their own or isolated and will casually drop it into conversation with them and remind them to be careful.

“We have regular dialogues about home safety and security, particularly over the last two years where older people have been on their own more. We are reinforcing with callers to the helpline now that we are coming into the finer weather, that if they are out in the back garden to keep their front doors locked and side gates locked.

“The last thing we want to do is patronise older people but some of them grew up in a time where there was a lot more trust.

“We also urge people to use chains or door limiters and to make sure they are on before they open the door. We also recommend door viewers.

“Also if someone is coming to do work or to read a meter, ask have they a card and say you need to phone the office and do your own checks.”

Ms Dempsey said they well understand that older people are less suspicious and more open to association with a garda and that some of the stories may sound plausible but she is encouraging people to contact their local garda station if in any doubt and said it is a good idea to have the station's number beside the phone or in their phone contacts.

They are also talking to their callers about pendant safety alarms and are encouraging them to join their local community alert or neighbourhood watch group.

“We remind family and friends that they may be aware of these incidents on social media but that their older family member or friend might not be and to spread the message to them and remind them to take extra precautions around callers to their home.”

She said community gardai had played a huge role supporting older people during Covid and that SeniorLine have a national campaign ongoing with them where community gardai distribute copies of their bookmark with details of the SeniorLine on it. Thousands of these bookmarks have been given out and Ms Dempsey said they are getting new callers on the back of this campaign.

The SeniorLine is open from 10am to 10pm 365 days a year and can be contacted on 1800 80 45 91.