West Norfolk Council issues warnings to vulnerable people against scammers after rise in pendant care alarm incidents

Vulnerable people are being warned about scammers after a rise in incidents in the area.

West Norfolk Council said it is concerned that fraudsters are targeting pendant care alarm users, holders of alcohol licences and council tax payers with their latest pressure tactics.

Officials said that one such scam sees those with pendant care alarms being told that a payment is due for their unit or that they need to make a payment to keep it working because of a digital switchover.

In one West Norfolk case, a pendant user was called by a person asking for bank card details to renew their payments.

In another, the scammer appeared legitimate because they already knew the user’s name and some other details.

The council has said that this is a common tactic, as scammers can get a few details from publicly-available information or even from hacking other sources/websites, to appear genuine.

Community health and wellbeing manager Judith Berry said: “This is a complex scam because the digital switchover is real and it will affect users of care alarms – so they are using a bit of truth to give authenticity to their scam.

“However, the council would never just phone someone asking for money like this.”

Advice has been issued to those who use care alarms:

- If someone calls asking for money for any reason, put the phone down, press your pendant and wait to speak to an operator

- Talk things over with a friend or relative

- Never give out your bank or card details to a cold caller – even if they already seem to know some of your details

Other scams have included holders of alcohol licences being contacted by fraudsters as well as people being called for bank details to pay council tax refunds.

Although the council has not been made aware of any incidents of these types in West Norfolk, it is urging people to be vigilant.

Officials have issued the following advice:

“If anyone calls saying they are from the council asking for bank details, hang up.

“Call the council on 01553 616200 or go to www.west-norfolk.gov.uk and click onto a webchat.

“Our customer service colleagues can check and will be happy to help.

“If you are calling, you should wait for at least five minutes after you hung up before calling or, preferably, call from a different number.”