Vulnerable adults in Norfolk are being targeted by fraudsters who are taking advantage of those needing to switch to digital emergency alarms.

West Norfolk Council has warned that those on its Careline Community Service are being targeted by scammers as the pendant system goes all-digital.

The switchover is part of a national programme to upgrade all telephone lines to digital by 2025, affecting around 3,800 users.

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Councillor Jo Rust said: "These are some of our most vulnerable residents – they have a pendant because they are more likely to need help and might not otherwise be able to call for it.

"Targeting vulnerable people in this way for profit or even theft is a disgrace and we want to raise as much awareness as possible to ensure users of the Careline Community Service are not caught out."

Instead of switching users to a digital unit from the council, fraudsters are switching them to another provider or scamming them out of money altogether.

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Careline Community Service manager, Judith Berry, added: "This is a difficult situation for our service users.

"Many of them have older, analogue units, which won't work within two years.

"We are halfway through a project to upgrade all the analogue units to digital equipment so we are contacting people to make the switch.

"The problem is that we're not the only ones making contact."

Users are advised to call the council on 01553 616200 if they have any doubts about making the switch.