A CONMAN stole a substantial amount of money from an Athlone Park pensioner, after initially contacting him about ‘increasing electricity and water bills’ on Monday, 24 August.
“During the phone call, a man asked my husband whether he could cope with the increase in water and electricity tariffs and if our children were able to help. He also asked how many people lived in the house and that he was from the municipal head office,” said the pensioner’s wife, who was not at home at the time of the incident.
After the conversation, the pensioner who lives in Linscott Road, received a second call from the conman to say he was outside the house. “He came in and asked a number of questions, including how many lightbulbs were in the house. He talked about changing the water and electricity meter.”
Initially, he asked for a cheque for R5,000 and insisted it be a cash cheque. “My husband took out his cheque book from his briefcase, but told him he had difficulty writing it out. He closed the briefcase and as he walked down the passage he heard a click. At the time he did not realise his briefcase had been opened and the money taken out. After politely telling him that he will return at 2pm, the man left.”
However, he did not return.
The conman, an Indian man, is tall and thin. He was well-spoken and wore a red shirt and navy trousers. He carried a big briefcase with two cellphones.
He also left a reference number, but when the coupled called the municipality for confirmation, they were told reference numbers were not issued in that manner.
eThekwini Municipality has received information of various scams currently targeting pensioners with regard to electricity consumption increases, property rates rebates and other services.
“Pensioners are being scammed via telephonic calls or by persons pretending to be municipal field employees collecting on the spot payments. The municipality confirms that under no circumstances will customers be asked to make on the spot payments or ask for forms to be completed telephonically. All rebate renewal forms are completed annually and submitted to our municipal offices,” said communications head, Tozi Mthethwa.
Payments are made strictly only via municipal banking halls, Sizakala centres and third party collectors indicated on the bill.
Customers are urged to be vigilant to avoid falling prey to criminals posing as municipal employees. Any representative of the municipality will have an ID tag with a photograph, ID or employee number with the municipal logo.
If residents are suspicious of anything, they can email revline@revcall.co.za, the Revenue Call Centre on 031-324-5000 or their nearest police station.
