CITY OF CAPE TOWN
14 MARCH 2018
MEDIA RELEASE
City warns of scam artist fleecing residents
The City of Cape Town would like to inform residents to be on the lookout for a scam artist posing as a City employee in the Strand area; however, criminals preying on especially the most vulnerable residents operate across the city. Read more below:
The City has received at least three reports from residents in the Strand being fleeced of thousands of rand by a person claiming to represent the City as part of an electricity and/or water meter upgrade project. The person further allegedly indicates that pensioners are being prioritised for the upgrades. They are then convinced to part with significant amounts of cash on the premise that his colleagues will arrive the following day to complete the work.
‘The City can assure members of the public that this is not the way we do things. Our field staff do not handle cash. All such transactions are done at the City’s customer care centres or via the appropriate electronic channels. We ask our residents to be vigilant,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Area East, Councillor Anda Ntsodo.
While the City is currently rolling out an electricity meter replacement programme, the planned replacements are free. Each replacement has a notification number on our internal systems which the City Call Centre can verify should a resident enquire. In addition, we do targeted marketing and mailbox drops of any planned work to be carried out in an area.
Any member of the public can verify whether visitors to their home are in fact employed by the City by:
- phoning the Call Centre on 0860 103 089 to confirm whether work is being carried out in their area
- informing the official that they will allow them entry only once the Call Centre has verified their identity
Residents may also ask for a letter of appointment outlining the purpose of the project on a City-labelled letterhead, signed by a City official with contact details on the letterhead.
Residents should please inform the South African Police Service as well as the City if they are approached by potential criminals.
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Councillor Anda Ntsodo, Mayoral Committee Member for Area East, City of Cape Town, Cell: 083 589 8260, Email: albert.ntsodo@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media.account@capetown.gov.za).
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