CITY OF CAPE TOWN
16 MARCH 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
City warns residents of electricity scam artists
The City has been made aware of scammers posing as City electricity employees in the Rondebosch area. The scammers are pretending to perform meter reading or meter repairs, with the intention of gaining access to residents’ homes. We urge residents in all areas in the metro to be alert and to report suspicious behaviour to the City and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Read more below:
The City has reported these incidents to the SAPS and law enforcement agencies for their urgent investigation.
When work is being carried out in a neighbourhood, municipal workers and City contractors carry a work order number specific to that home and a City-issued identification card. Residents are urged to be vigilant and to request these from the official before allowing them onto their property. If the person cannot produce the requested work order number or City-issued identification card, do not allow them into your home.
Any suspicious behaviour should be reported to the City’s law enforcement agencies or to the SAPS.
‘The identification card must display the City logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor, and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor.
‘Our teams were also made aware of another scammer in the Bellville area, who contacted a resident telephonically and offered to write-off an electricity disconnection order, for a fee. Thankfully, this resident made contact with the City’s call centre where it was confirmed that this was indeed a scam. Residents must be on the lookout and should remember that criminals operate across the city and often prey on the most vulnerable residents.
‘We once again urge residents to be vigilant and to contact us if they suspect the person is a scammer,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Beverley van Reenen.
The South African Police Service is the lead authority in crime prevention.
Members of the public can verify whether visitors to their home are in fact employed by the City by:
· phoning the Call Centre on 0860 103 089 to confirm whether work is being carried out in their area
· informing the official that they will allow them entry only once the Call Centre has verified their identity
Meter replacement programme:
The City is current rolling out an electricity meter replacement programme. The planned replacements are free.
Each replacement has a notification number on our internal systems which the City Call Centre can verify should a resident enquire. In addition, mailbox drops of any planned work are carried out in areas.
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
16 MARCH 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
City warns residents of electricity scam artists
The City has been made aware of scammers posing as City electricity employees in the Rondebosch area. The scammers are pretending to perform meter reading or meter repairs, with the intention of gaining access to residents’ homes. We urge residents in all areas in the metro to be alert and to report suspicious behaviour to the City and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Read more below:
The City has reported these incidents to the SAPS and law enforcement agencies for their urgent investigation.
When work is being carried out in a neighbourhood, municipal workers and City contractors carry a work order number specific to that home and a City-issued identification card. Residents are urged to be vigilant and to request these from the official before allowing them onto their property. If the person cannot produce the requested work order number or City-issued identification card, do not allow them into your home.
Any suspicious behaviour should be reported to the City’s law enforcement agencies or to the SAPS.
‘The identification card must display the City logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor, and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor.
‘Our teams were also made aware of another scammer in the Bellville area, who contacted a resident telephonically and offered to write-off an electricity disconnection order, for a fee. Thankfully, this resident made contact with the City’s call centre where it was confirmed that this was indeed a scam. Residents must be on the lookout and should remember that criminals operate across the city and often prey on the most vulnerable residents.
‘We once again urge residents to be vigilant and to contact us if they suspect the person is a scammer,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Beverley van Reenen.
The South African Police Service is the lead authority in crime prevention.
Members of the public can verify whether visitors to their home are in fact employed by the City by:
· phoning the Call Centre on 0860 103 089 to confirm whether work is being carried out in their area
· informing the official that they will allow them entry only once the Call Centre has verified their identity
Meter replacement programme:
The City is current rolling out an electricity meter replacement programme. The planned replacements are free.
Each replacement has a notification number on our internal systems which the City Call Centre can verify should a resident enquire. In addition, mailbox drops of any planned work are carried out in areas.
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
City warns residents of electricity scam artists