ETHEKWINI Municipality warns residents to beware as a Bluff pensioner couple was conned out of nearly R2,500 by scammers who are again targeting pensioners in electricity cons.
On Monday, 3 August the couple, who asked not to be named, received a phone call from someone who claimed to work at the municipality’s head office.
He said they were running a programme for pensioners, installing prepaid meters and a representative was in their area.
“They were very convincing and had all our details. We would normally not fall for something like this, but they had our name, address, account number and everything you would expect a municipal official to have,” said the couple.
The man on the phone said ‘Marcus’, a contractor, would arrive in their home within a few minutes. Marcus promptly arrived and allayed any concerns the couple had when he had their account information and official-looking documentation.
“Marcus, if that really was his name, was so confident. He was very professional and made us feel at ease.”
During his visit, Marcus convinced the pensioners to hand over R2,480 for the installation of a prepaid electricity meter, which would include R1,000 in tickets and cards for them to use and would be installed on Wednesday morning, 5 August.
The date of the installation came and went, with no word from the installer, Marcus or the municipal official who initially called them.
“When we spoke to someone about it at the municipality we were told we had been scammed. It is so scary to know these scammers are so professional and are able to come into your home with such confidence,” they said.
“eThekwini Municipality has received numerous enquiries to validate suppliers and contractors calling on customers on the pretence of being eThekwini representatives. These suppliers are using the eThekwini name to gain entry into people’s homes, claiming that they want to advise them on energy savings, meter installations and/or readings and to perform other alleged council-related work,” confirmed eThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa.
The Bluff couple has opened a case at Brighton Beach SAPS.
“We want other people to be aware. You think you would be able to spot these criminals, but they are good. They know what they are doing and it is best to confirm who they are with the proper authorities before handing over any money,” they warned.
Municipal representatives will have ID tags with a photograph, ID or employee number and the municipal logo. The municipality said under no circumstances will customers be asked to make on-the-spot payments or for forms to be completed telephonically.
“While the municipality supports all energy efficiency efforts by businesses and residences, it does not endorse any particular product or service unless it falls within an initiative undertaken by the city. Customers are urged to be vigilant to avoid falling prey to criminals posing as municipal employees,” said Mthethwa.
Call the municipality’s 24-hour call centre on 080 1313 111, your nearest police station or the revenue call center on 031-324-5000 or email revline@revcall.co.za for if you suspect anyone might be trying to scam people or to verify someone’s identity and role within the municipality.
Other scams to be aware of…click to read more:
Dead domestic scam fleeces couple out of R8,500
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