Be alert for electricity scam
ELECTRICITY scam artists are doing the rounds locally and residents are warned to be alert.
eTHEKWINI Municipality has received a number of queries about electricity analysis or surveys taking place around Durban in recent months. Neither Eskom nor eThekwini staff are conducting any solar or energy efficient surveys.
From information provided from customers, private companies are claiming to be representatives of eThekwini or Eskom and seeking appointments with customers to advise on energy efficiency and are using 'dubious' marketing tactics to sell solar geysers and other energy efficient products.
The municipality emphasises if a person claims to be a representative of eThekwini or Eskom, he must be able to identify himself with an ID tag with his photograph and the logo of the municipality or Eskom. However, the ultimate decision must be made by the customer, whether he wants to entertain the person, as some of the products being sold may realise energy savings. A letter to all customers advising of the scam is being circulated with the Metro bill.
If you are suspicious about any sales person, always contact the municipality on 031-311-1111.
Last week a Warner Beach resident received a call from a man who indicated he was from the electricity department. “He had our name, address, phone number and seemed knowledgeable. He said they were going to be in the area last Friday to do electricity analysis and that electricity was going up 8% next month and it would be helpful to us.
Unfortunately I did not take down this man's name or phone number, but I later phoned the electricity department and Customer Care Ethekwini. No-one knew anything about this, it seems it may be some sort of a scam or something.”
