Two men are allegedly targeting several Dublin homes by using a "building scam" involving the next door neighbour's house.
The men are reportedly telling homeowners in the south Dublin areas of Palmerstown and Knocklyon that they are working on the house next door to theirs but that they've damaged their back garden while working.
The pair then request that the property owner pay a small fee before they enter to have a look at the apparent "damage they have caused".
Several locals reported being propositioned by the men and have reported the suspicious behaviour to Gardai.
Fearing for elderly people who may fall for the scam, a local Facebook page said: "In the middle of the day, two men knocked on a resident's door on the Glebe in Woodfarm Acres.
"They said to the owner they were working on the house next door and thought they damaged his back garden.
"They requested to have a look at the damage but demanded a fee of €20 to repair.
"The owner demanded they leave which they did but they asked to leave through the garage.
"The owner threatened to ring the Gardai, which he did after, and two men ran into a white van."
They 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 Gardai immediately.
"If you are answering the door to ‘cold callers’, apply the chain or door limiter before opening the door.
"I would also ask that if anyone feels like they, or someone they know has been a victim of being sold goods for extortionate prices, or paid for a service that was not carried out, to call any Garda station and report the matter."
