The City of Cape Town has urged residents to be aware of scammers pretending to work for the city to gain access to the residents’ homes.

The city’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department said its teams have been made aware of scammers in Sanddrift, where a resident recently reported to the city that two scammers visited her home claiming to work for the city’s Electricity Department to check on electricity prepaid meters in the area.

‘Once the resident allows the scammers access to their home, they proceeded to steal items while the resident is not looking. These incidents happen far too often, and we ask residents to always be alert, especially our elderly residents,’ sait the city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg.

While the city’s electricity staff and contractors are in neighbourhoods to do legitimate meter readings and other work, Limberg urged residents to always be alert and to verify the official’s identity with the city before allowing officials access to their pr
operty.

‘Residents are urged to verify the official’s identity and work order number with the city before giving them access to their homes. All legitimate city staff and contractors will identify themselves before asking for access for legitimate city related electricity work.

‘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, please contact the city’s call centre,’ Limberg said.

Limberg also urged the residents refrain from any type of aggressive action, including threats or intimidation of legitimate city staff and contractors doing meter reading or other critical electricity infrastructure work in their neighbourhoods.

To verify the work order, contact the city’s call centre on 0860 103 089. To report suspicious behaviour, contact 0800 1100 77.

Tips for residents:

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.

Source: South African Government News Agency