Residents warned of criminals posing as City contractors

The City has received various reports from residents about rogue operators pretending to be municipal contractors.

One resident almost fell for the scam.

“They pushed the buzzer and said they are there to audit my meter and disconnect it,” he said.

The resident phoned the City to verify the contractor’s credentials. The fake contractors were armed with a bolt cutter.

“They threatened to disconnect my services if I didn’t offer them a bride.”

The resident threatened to have them arrested because they couldn’t provide any form of identity. He said when they became aggressive he called private security, which led to the suspects fleeing.

When the City asked the resident if he knew they were scammers, he said he didn’t because their ID cards looked legitimate.

“It was questionable that they didn’t have a job card or work order and the fact that they were aggressive towards me.”

The City urges ratepayers to verify the identity of contractors, especially if residents have not received any paperwork from the municipality warning them of such an event.

There are several ways residents can do this:

• From February 28, a list of municipal contractors will be published on the City’s website www.joburg.org.za along with their telephone numbers to enable residents to phone and verify the contractor’s identity and work order.

• City Power will provide identity tags to all its contractors.

• Any documentation for work to be carried out on a City meter will be on original paperwork. If residents receive photocopied or sketchy documents, they should use the verification email or phone number below to safeguard their property.

• Residents have the right to insist that contractors show them their name tags or company identification document. Visit the municipal website to verify a contractor’s legitimacy.

• If residents are unsatisfied with the answers they receive from contractors, they should email logisticsreconnections@joburg.org.za for quick help.