Be warned! There’s no such thing as free water
Both men say the conman was smartly dressed and very convincing.
UGU Municipality is pulling out all stops as you read this to make sure that your personal information on file with them is not being leaked to fraudsters.
This after they were tipped off by the Herald and our sister newspaper, the Mid South Coast Mail, that at least two pensioners were targeted by con artists who were surprisingly ‘well informed’ about their water accounts with Ugu.
The two cases – one in Margate and another in Scottburgh – were virtually identical and reported separately to the Herald and Mail last week.
A man from Margate, who asked not to be named, said he was conned out of R400.
He said he had received a call from a man called ‘Mr Naidoo’ who promised to help him get a discount on his water, lights and rates bills.
“In a matter of minutes, a car pulled into our driveway and Mr Naidoo introduced himself,” he said.
The man was dressed smartly and was ‘really convincing’.
“He told me that my water meter was outdated and needed to be renewed. He said that if I paid an amount of R2 400 immediately he could do the job for me. That would be half of what I would normally have to pay Ugu.
“I told him I only had R400.”
The man took the money as ‘a deposit’ and promised to come back later for the difference and to install the new meter. Only afterwards did it sink in that he had been scammed.
“What amazed me was that he was so convincing and seemed to know so much about my water bills. He even knew the amount I owed.”
He also seemed to know a lot about the man’s rates and electricity bills.
In the Scottburgh incident, a resident (who also wished to remain anonymous) was wiser and cottoned on to the scam before handing over any money.
He said he was phoned by an ‘affable Anthony’ who said he was from Ugu and he was sending out a technician named ‘Logan’ to help with a problem that he had actually reported to Ugu.
‘Logan’ arrived within minutes and even had the man’s reference number for his original call to Ugu. ‘Logan’ also wanted to replace the man’s ‘old meter’ for a new one for a mere R1 600. He claimed the man would pay more and wait for months if he waited for Ugu.
Ironically, there really is a ‘Logan’ who works for Ugu in Scottburgh and he is livid that the con artists are allegedly using his name. He has assured everyone that it is certainly ‘is not me’.
Ugu confirmed that it was on alert after the tip-off by the Herald and Mail and they are investigating “as a matter of urgency”.
Strict action was promised if any employees were found leaking information.
Spokesman France Zama appealed to people to be on their guard and to inform Ugu immediately at 039 6885711 or 071 4472098 if they were approached by the conmen.
“We urge customers not to open their doors to anyone who claims to be from Ugu unless they have visible Ugu identification.”
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