Municipal worker scam warning

SCAMS are ever-changing, while classic forms of fraud are still prevalent, such as SMS or phishing scams. Scamsters are now increasingly targeting residents through the phone, purporting to be from the eThekwini Municipality, a government department or parastatal Eskom. Last week, an elderly Longwoods Drive resident was contacted by a man who claimed to be from the municipality. The 77-year-old, who did not want to be named, was informed by the official that her electricity usage was too high and he would pay a personal visit to her house.

“He was very insistent that he needed to come into my home and suggested that he’d come around 4pm. Earlier this year I was attacked and strangled by a man, and six weeks later, we had our back door smashed in. When I received this phone call I immediately became suspicious.

“I contacted Blue Security and the CPF, both of whom informed me it was a scam. I’ve asked the neighbours around me if they have been contacted and not a single person has,” she said.

Municipal spokesman, Thabo Mofokeng, said it was highly irregular for municipal officials to call after 4pm but to also insist on entering the property.

“All our workers carry identity cards, so it’s vitally important to ask municipal workers to present identification. This case does sound suspicious. We have had a number of people posing as municipal workers trying to scam people,” Mofokeng said.

He added residents with information related to cases of fraud, corruption, maladministration and human rights violation in the municipality, must be reported to the City Integrity and Investigations Unit on 0800 202 020 toll free or on telephone 031 311 4002. Email ombuds@durban.gov.za