'Woke' resident asks City officials purporting to be from electricity department to leave her home

Residents in Cape Town are urged to be aware of scammers posing as electricity officials

In the latest electricity scam, a resident recently reported to the city of Cape Town that two men had visited her home claiming they needed to scan the prepaid electricity meter and check plugs.

PICTURE: Pixabay

According to the resident, the duo were well dressed -  one with a reflective jacket and a “permit” attached to the jacket, with a clipboard in hand. Trusting that they worked for the municipality, the resident let them inside her home but soon realised they were not who they claimed to be and asked them to leave which they luckily did. Unfortunately, they stole her gold earrings.

‘’This latest sad story is unfortunately one the City is all too familiar with. We urge residents to be aware of scammers posing as City officials or contractors to gain access to their homes. Once given access to residents’ homes, scammers often steal small personal items like jewellery and cash. In most cases, the elderly are targeted,’’ said Beverley van Reenen, Mayco Member for Energy.

‘’In this case, it is fortunate that the resident realised everything was not as it should be before anything far worse happened. We urge our residents to be aware of these scammers and take the necessary steps to ensure all visitors to their home are legitimate City employees or contractors,’’ she added.

Van Reenen reminded residents that the City's Electricity Generation and Distribution Department will make an appointment with residents before visiting their home.

‘’Municipal workers and contractors must carry a work order number specific to that dwelling and a legitimate City-issued identification card. Residents should ask to check the work order number and the identification card before allowing anyone onto their property and to verify whether the card is legitimate.’’

‘’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. If unsure, residents are urged to call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089,’’ added Van Reenen.

 

Tips for residents:

·        Always verify the work order number when an official visits your home

·        Check the official’s City-issued identification card

·        The ID 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

·        If unsure, call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089

·        Report suspicious behaviour to the City’s law enforcement agencies or to the SAPS. Any suspicious behaviour must be reported to the City’s law enforcement agencies or the City’s Fraud Hotline on 0800 1100 77 or to the South African Police Service (SAPS). The SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention.

 

Done By: Mitchum George