CAPE TOWN warns of WhatsApp electricity scammers
The City of Cape Town is warning residents about scammers pretending to be city officials and demanding money for electricity bills.
MMC for Energy Xanthea Limberg said the city's energy and finance directorates were alerted to an apparent scam involving one of its large electricity users.
According to Limberg, the customer was contacted on WhatsApp by a man calling himself "Mr Collins". The scammer told the customer to make a large payment or face having their electricity cut off.
In the messages, the man even showed what looked like a disconnection operation to pressure the customer.
Limberg said the scammer then kept calling and sending messages after not getting a reply.
Targeting big accounts
The scam is worrying because the fraudster had the correct account details.
Limberg said the scammer asked the customer to pay the money into an FNB bank account. The outstanding amount on the account was more than R1 million.
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Fortunately, the customer became suspicious and contacted the city to verify the message. He later paid the money into the correct city account instead of the scammer's account.
Limberg said residents must remember that the city will never ask for payments through WhatsApp.
"The city reminds customers that it would never approach a customer via WhatsApp about payments. No city official may request payment via their personal bank account."
Check before you pay
Limberg said all payments must only be made through official city channels such as municipal cash offices or electronic payments using details on the monthly bill.
She urged residents to always double check before making payments.
"Always take a moment to pause and verify by phoning the city's call centre first on 0860 103 089," said Limberg.
Is it an inside job?
A Kensington resident said scammers recently tried the same trick on her, but this time using a water bill.
She said the caller sounded convincing.
"They sound convincing because they approach you with the correct meter number and the amount of money that you are owing," she said.
"It's easy to fall into the trap because they give you the correct information. It looks like they work with someone from the inside."
The city is urging residents to report any suspicious activity to the city call centre, the city fraud hotline, or their nearest cop shop.
