Be cautious of housing scams, warns City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town has appealed to residents to be cautious when being approached about potential housing opportunities in the metro. This as many are out to make a quick buck this festive season.

PICUTRE: Pixabay

Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, said scammers often approach residents about housing opportunities in an attempt to steal money from their victims. He encouraged residents to report all suspicious requests to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation.

‘’We are asking residents to be extra cautious this festive season and to always be on the lookout for too-good-to-be true housing opportunity requests, stokvels relating to City or Provincial housing opportunities and other similar requests. The City often receives enquiries from residents asking about the legitimacy of bogus housing related opportunities brought to their attention by scammers on social media or in person.’’

‘’Please remember that if any person asks you to pay for a housing opportunity including Breaking New Ground (BNG) homes and plots or to register on the City’s Housing Needs Register, it is a scam. In recent years, we have seen adverts on social media about ‘RDP homes’ for sale too, these were also scams. If you suspect you are being scammed or have been scammed recently, please report the matter to the SAPS urgently,’’ added Pophaim.

 

Done By: Esobusi Mkangelwa

Be aware of housing scams, warns City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town is urging residents not to pay for a housing opportunities and to always be vigilant of potential scammers.

This comes after an applicant received an email advising that she would receive a title deed for a house in Watergate, Mitchells Plain, if she paid a sum of money.

In September 2022, a Capetonian paid over R2 000 into abank account to process her “approval letter” for a house in one of the WesternCape’s Human Settlements Department’s projects in Mitchell’s Plain.

PICTURE: Pixabay

Acting Mayco member for Human Settlements, James Vos, said if you are asked to pay to register on the City's Housing Needs Register for a Government housing Breaking New Ground (BNG) opportunity or a plot of City-owned land, you are being scammed.

‘’These types of cases happen regularly and impact the most desperate, vulnerable residents. Qualifying beneficiaries are reminded again that they do not need to pay to register on the Housing Needs Register or to receive a subsidy housing opportunity. The Register, which is protected, updated and audited, is necessary to prevent queue-jumping and to provide opportunities in a fair, ordered manner. This is important given the acute need for housing opportunities across the metro.’’

‘’We have unfortunately been made aware of a number of these cases taking place in areas across the metro in recent weeks and months and we encourage our residents and beneficiaries to also contact the City should they be concerned this is the case,’’ added Vos.

He encouraged residents to report suspicious or illegal activity to the South African Police Service.

 

Done By: Mitchum George