The City of Cape Town urges residents to be aware of scammers who are posing as City officials in order to gain access to theirhomes.
Once they have gained access to the building, the scammers are said to steal personal items from the homes.
In most cases, they target elderly residents.
“We remind residents that the electricity generation and distribution department is not carrying out surveys and when the City needs to do checks on electricity meters, officials will make an appointment with the resident,” Mayco member for energy Beverley van Reenen says.
“Municipal workers and contractors must carry a work order number specific to that dwelling and a City-issued identification card. Residents should please ask to check the official identification card before allowing anyone onto their property.”
Van Reenen says the City is aware of scammers who have attempted to gain access to residents’ homes in the Bellville, Athlone and Strand areas and urges residents to be on alert for any suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods.
“Any suspicious behaviour must be reported to the City’s law enforcement agencies, the City’s fraud hotline or to the police,” she says.
Van Reenen says the police remain the leading authority in crime prevention.
She lists the following tips for residents:
. always verify the official’s City-issued identification card and work order number;
. 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 Call Centre on 0860 103 089;
. report suspicious behaviour to the City’s law enforcement agencies or to the police.
Residents can verify whether visitors to their home are employed by the City by:
. phoning the call centre on 0860 103 089 to confirm whether work is being carried out in their area and
. informing the official that they will allow them entry only once the call centre has verified their identity.
Residents who suspect fraudulent activity in their neighbourhood can report it to the City’s fraud hotline on 0800 323 130.
