Residents warned of new electricity scams

The City would like to warn residents of two new electricity scams which are doing the rounds. We urge residents to be aware of scammers trying to sell cheap, fraudulent units and others posing as electricity officials to gain access to their homes. 

‘In the first scam, residents are offered cheaper units. The electricity ‘sold’ doesn’t work on the City’s meters and anyone making use of this service will unfortunately soon find that out. Everyone loves a deal, especially in these tough economic times, but remember if the price of the electricity units seems too good to be true, it very likely is a scam.

‘Similarly, if someone attempts to enter your home under the premise that you’ll be given a rebate, it is also likely to be a scam. In the second scam, a senior citizen reported to us that someone had visited her home claiming they needed to enter the property to scan her prepaid meter so she can get a rebate on her electricity. The City urges residents to be aware of scammers who are posing as City officials or contractors to gain access to their homes. Once given access to residents’ homes, the scammers steal small personal items like jewellery and cash. In most cases, the elderly are targeted.

‘We remind residents that the City’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department will make an appointment with residents before visiting their home. Municipal workers and contractors must carry a work order number specific to that dwelling and a legitimate City-issued identification card. Residents should please ask to check the work order number and the identification card before allowing anyone onto their property and to verify whether the card is legitimate,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

The identification card must display the City logo, the name, and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor, and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor. If unsure, residents are urged to call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089.

Any suspicious behaviour must be reported to the City’s law enforcement agencies or the City’s Fraud Hotline on 0800 1100 77 or to the South African Police Service (SAPS). The SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention.  

Tips for residents:

• Only buy legitimate electricity units at the correct price per unit
• You may only qualify for pensioner support if you have applied by filling in a form
• Always verify the work order number when an official visits your home
• Check the official’s City-issued identification card
• The ID card must display the City logo, the name, and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor, and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor
• If unsure, call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089
• Report suspicious behaviour to the City’s law enforcement agencies or to the SAPS

Photo by Rodolfo Clix: https://www.pexels.com/photo/five-bulb-lights-1036936/