The City of Ekurhuleni has warned the public to be aware of a grant-in-aid scam that is being carried by a person claiming to be an employee of the municipality.
The city has been inundated with complaints from residents who are receiving calls from the scammer soliciting money to purportedly fast-track their grant-in-aid applications.
The scammer, who claims to be involved in grant-in-aid adjudication, solicits amounts ranging from R1 500 from applicants, and recites their personal information contained in their applications to gain their trust.
The city informs all grant-in-aid applicants that applications for grant-in-aid are handled and processed free of charge.
The following tips may assist to differentiate scammers from legit communication by the city:
The name is City of Ekurhuleni, not Ekurhuleni Municipality;
Landlines in the city have the 999 prefix;
The email address for staff is: persons’ name.surname@ekurhuleni.gov.za and not XXX@ekurhuleni-gov.org or any other variation; and
The city urges companies and individuals to be vigilant and to verify information on the website (www.ekurhuleni.gov.za).
Report fraud and corruption to 0800 102 201.
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