‘Officials’ are using meter scam to extort money
“It is important to note that all officials carry clear City of Ekurhuleni identification and you can take a photo of the ID cards before allowing people into your yard."
The DA in Ekurhuleni is urging residents to stay alert as some criminals have been posing as city officials.
According to Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph, there has been an increase in residents scammed out of thousands of rands by these criminals.
She explained how the scam works:
• The ‘official’ will advise you that your meter has been tampered with and that you are required to pay a fine of between R2 000 and R5 000.
• They further advise that you need to pay this amount via cash as they are contractors and do not have the contractor’s banking details on hand.
• Once you pay, they will either ‘fix’ the meter for you, or tamper with the meter themselves.
• If your meter doesn’t ‘work’, they then sell you a working meter for R4 600 or more.
• Further, when a resident logs a call, the real City of Ekurhuleni official will come out and see a tampered meter and they will issue a fine and block the meter.
• The resident will then need to go to the Customer Care Center to pay the actual fine.
“While inspections are being carried out on properties, at no point will a city official or contractor ask you for money. Any fines issued by the city are on official Ekurhuleni documentation and you are required to visit the offices to make a payment,” Joseph said.
“If someone does approach you and asks for money, take as many details as possible, including the car registration if it is safe to do so, and send that information to your ward councillor.”
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