Criminals are exploiting the analogue to digital switchover to
scam vulnerable residents who use health care telephony devices
into giving out personal information such as bank details,
councils are warning today.
Around 1.8 million people use the devices nationally, but
services that rely on the old landline system are being switched
over to new upgraded landline services using digital technology.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils, is
concerned that the transition has created new opportunities for
criminals to target vulnerable residents, for example using
phishing emails, fake websites or phone calls to trick them into
providing personal information.
It is warning scams could increase as the 2025 switchover date
approaches, following a series of recent reports whereby
criminals call residents with health care devices claiming they
need to hand over bank details as part of the switchover, or they
will be disconnected.
The digital switchover is free and councils and home care alarm
providers will never ask for personal or financial details over
the phone.
Councils are already taking steps to crackdown on switchover
scams.
- In Halton, residents have seen an increase in scam telephone
calls about health care devices. In some instances, the caller
claims to be working for the NHS and asks the call recipients –
primarily older people – for their personal details. Following
these reports, Halton Borough Council Trading Standards team sent
out alerts to residents raising awareness of the scam and
officers supported victims by visiting them to provide advice and
support.
- Staffordshire County Council has worked hard to raise
awareness of call blocker technology and to promote wider scams
awareness. It has installed 155 call blockers in vulnerable
people’s homes, with a further 51 to follow, to safeguard
residents from becoming the victims of scams or fraud. To make it
easy for residents to access this technology, the council has
built an online call blocker application form which is very user
friendly. The team works alongside a range of partner agencies to
highlight the issue of scams and produce a Scam Awareness
Newsletter
While the public switched telephone network (PSTN) upgrade
is an industry-led process, the LGA is also calling on the
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to
coordinate the multiple bodies involved with the switchover and
support with raising awareness to ensure residents are
prepared.
Cllr , Chair of the LGA’s Safer and
Stronger Communities Board, said:
“We are very concerned by a rise in criminals taking advantage of
the digital switchover to trick vulnerable residents into giving
out personal information such as their bank details. As the
digital switchover date approaches, sadly we fear that further
cases will arise.
“Councils will always act swiftly with the police where any
incidents are reported, but we also urge people to be vigilant
and help to raise awareness of this crime.
“The digital switchover is free of charge and residents should be
aware that councils and their home care alarm providers or
contractors will never ask for personal or financial information
over the phone.”
If residents are the victim of a scam or fraudulent activity, you
should report this to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website, and/or
contact your local trading standards team.
Notes to editors
What is the digital
switchover?
