City of Cape Town issues warning after electricity scam

Residents in Cape Town are being cautioned about a recent electricity scam by fake municipal authorities. The scam involves individuals posing as electricity officials and requesting access to homes under the pretence of conducting meter scans or plug checks.

A recent incident reported to the city involved two well-dressed men, one wearing a reflective jacket with a “permit” attached and carrying a clipboard, who visited a resident’s home. Despite the resident’s initial trust in their legitimacy, suspicions arose, leading to the discovery that the individuals were imposters.

Fortunately, the resident managed to expel them from her home, although not before they pilfered her gold earrings.

Scammers impersonating electricity contractors target homes

This incident is just one of many instances where scammers have impersonated city officials or electricity contractors to gain unauthorised access to residences. Once inside, these fraudsters often seize small valuables such as jewellery and cash, with the elderly being particularly vulnerable targets.

To combat such deceptive practices, the city’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department emphasises that appointments will always precede official visits to residents’ homes.

Additionally, legitimate municipal workers and contractors must carry a specific work order number for the property. They must also possess a valid city-issued identification card.

Councillor Beverley van Reenen, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, underscored the importance of vigilance among residents. She urged individuals to scrutinise any visitor’s identification card, ensuring it displays the city logo, the individual’s full name, and a photo embedded within the card. In case of doubt, residents are encouraged to contact the City’s Call Centre.

“We urge our residents to be aware of these scammers and take the necessary steps to ensure all visitors to their home are legitimate City employees or contractors,” she said.

Safety tips for residents

To further assist residents in safeguarding against electricity scams, the municipal authorities offer the following tips:

• Always verify the work order number before admitting any official into your home.
• Verify the authenticity of the city-issued identification card, checking for the city logo and the individual’s name and photo.
• If uncertain, contact the City’s Call Centre for verification.

The city urges residents to report any suspicious behaviour to the city’s law enforcement agencies or the South African Police Service (SAPS).

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY NOZIBUSISO MAZIBUKO