Digital TV switchover campaign launched

The switchover is being billed as the biggest change in television since the introduction of colour.

Analogue television will be switched off across the London TV region on April 4 and replaced with a new, stronger digital TV signal - leaving those households that have not switched to digital without any TV channels.

The Switchover Help Scheme has launched a Helping Hand campaign calling on everyone to try to make sure every older and disabled person in the borough knows about the help they can get with the changeover process.

People aged 75 and over - and eligible disabled - are entitled to equipment, installation and free aftercare to convert one of their TV sets to digital. It costs £40, or is free to eligible people who are also on income related benefits.

All eligible people have been contacted by post, but campaign organisers are concerned not everyone may be confident enough to take up the help.

The campaign launch follows cases in Wandsworth of rogue doorstep callers posing as switchover contractors in order to gain access to homes and swindle cash from residents.

In recent weeks two fraudsters conned a resident in Festing Road , Putney, out of £40 by pretending to be digital TV contractors and gaining access to their home.

On January 24, two men who matched suspect descriptions from the previous incident were spotted again in Festing Road .

Although they were not seen to enter any properties on that occasion, Wandsworth Council and police are warning residents to be on the lookout.

Both men are described as white, approximately 40-50 years old, and were wearing royal blue sweatshirts with a logo on.

Wandsworth's community safety spokesman, Councillor Jonathan Cook, said: "The council wants to make it clear to residents that no digital switchover contractor will call on homes unexpectedly without an appointment.

"I hope that family, friends and neighbours of potentially vulnerable residents will keep an eye out for these despicable con artists, who will stop at nothing to line their own pockets.

"If anyone suspects they have been ripped off, paid a deposit to a trader they're now worried about, or suspect there's a rogue doorstep caller working door-to-door in their area, they should call the council's community safety team on 020 8871 6603 or Consumer Direct's helpline on 08454 04 05 06."

The Digital UK information pack that has been sent out will say whether a household is entitled to a free changeover and explain how an appointment can be arranged.

A password system can be put in place if the home owner wishes and they can request a member of their family, neighbour or friend to be present whilst a registered fitter is in the home.

For more information about the Helping Hand campaign, call 0800 40 85 900 or visit www.helpscheme.co.uk. Textphone users can call 0800 40 85 936. 

Alternatively, any resident wanting face-to-face help can visit Wandsworth Citizens Advice Bureaux branches in Balham High Road, Bolingbroke Grove or Roehampton Lane . Age UK also offers advice about the changeover at http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

For general information about the digital changeover call the UK Digital London region helpline on 0800 408 59 18 or visit http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Digital UK 's tips for avoiding scams:

Remember that no one from Digital UK or Switchover Helpscheme will call unexpectedly without an appointment.

Demand identification from uninvited callers - and call the company to check they are who they say they are.

Don't agree to any work on the spot. Take time to think about what work (if any) you want done.

Only buy goods and services you need for switchover from reputable retailers and traders that carry the digital tick logo

If an offer seems too good to be true - in a leaflet, advert, by phone, e-mail or personal approach - it probably is. Be wary and read the details of the deal carefully.

Calls to the Consumer Direct helpline cost 4p per minute from a BT landline; from mobile and non BT lines call costs may vary.