City of Cape Town warns of SCAM involving fake energy officials

The City of Cape Town has provided tips for residents to ensure that the energy officials that come to their houses are NOT scammers.

Sep 10, 2022 - 21:14
1118
City of Cape Town warns of SCAM involving fake energy officials

The City of Cape Town has warned residents to be aware of scammers who are posing as electricity officials in order to gain access to their homes.

Elderly people are more often targetted by these scammers

In a statement, the City said it has been made aware of this new scam where the scammers carry fake identification cards that look as though it’s from the City. In the statement, the CoCT noted that the scammers steal personal items after being given access to the residents’ homes.

“In most cases, the elderly are targeted,” the City said.

How to determine if the electricity official is legitimate

The City shared what residents need to look out for in order to determine if the person at their home is a scammer or a registered official working for the City.

Municipal workers and contracts must carry a work order number specific to that dwelling. They must also carry a legitimate City-issued identification card. Residents need to check the work order number and card before allowing the person onto their property.

What should be on the card:

  • City logo;
  • Name and surname of the staff member or contractor;
  • An embedded photo of the staff member/contractor.

If you are unsure about whether or not the person is a staff member or mandated contractor contact the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089.

‘Any suspicious behaviour must be reported to the City’s law enforcement agencies or the City’s Fraud Hotline on 0800 323 130 or to the South African Police Service (SAPS),’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

SASSA warns of SCAM where fake officials try to change payment cards

Meanwhile, it was reported that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has warned about scams where fake officials visit houses to change SASSA payment cards.

SASSA KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) spokesperson Sandy Godlwana revealed that there has been an influx of reports of beneficiaries falling prey to these scams. Gondwana confirmed that SASSA is NOT changing beneficiaries’ cards.

Godlwana urged beneficiaries to not cooperate with anyone who requests that they change their cards. She has encouraged people who have been in these situations to report the incidents to the SAPS. Read the full story here.