PENSIONERS are warned to be wary of a new telephonic scam offering non-existent water meter rebates in Durban.
eThekwini Municipality has been advised of the new scam in which people who pretend to be municipal officials call to offer pensioners a rebate for water meters.
The caller issues a reference number to the resident and informs them that they will be contacted by another official in the coming days and a form will need to be completed and signed to qualify for the rebate.
The municipality confirmed that there is no such process, nor would customers under any circumstances be asked to make on the spot cash payments.
The only rebate currently offered by the municipality is a rates rebate. Property owners qualify for the rebate on their primary property when they turn 60. This rebate is renewed annually. Both new application forms and renewal forms can be found on the municipality’s website (durban.gov.za).
READ: Durban police issue warning against fraud scams
All rebate renewal forms must be completed and submitted to the municipal offices. Payments are made strictly only via the municipal banking halls, Sizakala centres or third-party collectors indicated on the bill. New applications by pensioners can be done at any of the customer service centres or downloaded via www.durban.gov.za and submitted via email or at one of the municipal customer or Sizakala centres.
READ: Bluff pensioners scammed out of R2,500
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, contact the toll free number 080-311-1111 or https://correspondence.durban.gov.za:200/ or call the city’s investigation unit on 0800-2020-20 or the nearest police station.
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