The government established a Travelling Conmen Taskforce last year that has been tracking gangs of itinerant workers, mainly from Ireland, who advertise for roof painting and other trades work.

The taskforce has received recent reports about men looking for work in the Valentine, Eleebana and Warners Bay area.

In recent months, men with Irish accents have been reported to the taskforce offering roof repair, cleaning and work on bitumen driveways at Kilaben Bay and Toronto.

A number of Irish itinerants have been charged recently in Sydney for providing building work unlicensed.

Tradespeople must be qualified and licensed, but consumers have no protection if they deal with unlicensed people who come knocking on doors or cold call asking for work.

"These people are in organised gangs and use similar signage, business cards and invoices," Mr Roberts said.

"If you do engage someone to do trade work at your home, never pay with cash or a cash cheque."

Residents are advised to refuse unsolicited offers of work, shop around for quotes and to only use licensed tradespeople who provide written quotes.

People should be suspicious of offers for cheap deals.