Scammer targets Grant-in-Aid applications
Members of the public are warned to be aware of a Grant-in-Aid scam being carried out by a person claiming to be an employee of the City of Ekurhuleni.
The municipality 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 of up to R3 000 from applicants, and recites their personal information contained in their applications to gain their trust. It is important for applicants to note that Grant-in-Aid applications are handled and processed free of charge.
The following pointers provided below may assist to differentiate scammers from legitimate 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.
Companies and individuals are urged to be vigilant and to verify information on the website at www.ekurhuleni.gov.za Report fraud and corruption on 0800 102 201.
