Watch out for tricksters who are visiting homes in the province, especially those occupied by elderly residents, and telling them that their Digital Terrestrial Television receiver needs changing, only to then sell them a new one at “a very good price”. In most cases, the fraudsters are taking a receiver from one home and replacing it with another, to then go on to sell the receiver they have just removed at a nearby house, telling the occupants that they can have it at a special price thanks to a grant for pensioners. If they already have one, they convince them that it will not work once analogical TV is switched off, and offer to sell them a better one at half its true value. To seem more credible, they even ask for their victims’ ID.

The Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce has reported that groups which are considered to be in danger of social exclusion will receive TDT decoders for free in the 28 towns where analogical TV will be switched off before the end of this year, which are: Coin, Frigiliana, Guaro, Monda, Nerja, Torrox, Velez-Málaga, Torremolinos, Algatocin, Alpandeire, Atajate, Benadalid, Benahavis, Benalauria, Benaojan, Benarraba, Casares, Cortes de la Frontera, Estepona, Farajan, Gaucin, Genalguacil, Igualeja, Jimera de Libar, Jubrique, Juzcar, Montejaque and Parauta.

If you are over the age of 65 and are level II or III dependant, have a hearing or sight disability of 33 per cent or more, or are over the age of 80 and live alone or with another person of a similar age you can ask for your decoder in Malaga, Calle Duquesa de Parcent 8, second floor, at your local town hall, or thanks to Junta de Andalucia volunteers who will be distributing them. For more information www.televisiondigital.es or 901 2010 04.