The City of Ekurhuleni has issued an urgent warning to service providers and the public about a sophisticated payment scam designed to defraud them.

Fraudsters are reportedly using forged city and political office letterheads to solicit money from unsuspecting suppliers, promising significant payments for services rendered.

How to protect yourself from the scam

To avoid falling victim to this scam, service providers are urged to exercise extreme caution and never pay money to anyone claiming they can expedite a payment from the city.

Always verify the authenticity of any suspicious letter, email, or phone call by contacting the City’s official departments directly, using the numbers listed on the official City of Ekurhuleni website.

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If you receive a suspicious document or are asked to pay a fee to process a payment, do not engage with the scammer. Instead, report the incident immediately to the city’s anti-fraud hotline.

By staying vigilant and taking proactive measures, service providers can protect themselves from falling prey to these criminal activities.

The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that it is working with law enforcement to track down the perpetrators and has urged everyone to remain cautious.

Report fraudulent activity

• Fraud and corruption hotline: 0800 102 201

• Job scam reporting email: COE.Recruitmentscam@ekurhuleni.gov.za

• City call centre (for general service issues): 0860 543 000