A SEAVIEW pensioner has warned other residents about a potential scam after she was targeted by a man claiming to be from the eThekwini Water Services Directorate and needing to install a water restrictor at her home.

Last week the eThekwini Municipality warned of a water disconnection scam where suspects deliver fraudulent letters to homeowners, claiming their water services would be disconnected due to unpaid fees, and then solicit bribes.

In a similar scam the 70-year-old, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she also received a letter claiming the City was installing water restrictors to reduce water pressure.

In February this year the City, while implementing water rationing across the water network, said it would install water restrictors across the City to enforce responsible water usage.

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While more than 45 000 household connections have been fitted with flow restrictors, there have been no cases where restrictors are being fitted in the Ward.

“Initially I received a letter with the official letterhead from the municipality. I contacted our Ward councillor Samantha Windvogel who also helped me.

“The man, claiming to be a municipal official, then contacted me by phone and told me that he had to fit a restrictor on my water meter because the water demand is high. I initially ignored him but he then sent me WhatsApp messages with pictures of my property on Hazeldene Road. I later realised he had used images from Google Earth to try and trick me.

“He would send voice notes and was quite persistent saying he needed to access my property and said the whole area was getting restrictors installed. I reached out to my neighbours and the WhatsApp group and no one else was contacted. When I mentioned I had approached the councillor he called back and said that he had been given permission, which was another lie. I was also suspicious as he said he needed to get onto my property but my water meter is outside my property,” she said.

Her advice to residents who experienced similar incidents was to approach their neighbours and councillor.

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“You have to be hyper-vigilant as someone tried to scam me last month claiming to be MTN. That has made me more cautious and guarded. Always check with your councillor and don’t let anyone into your property. This man was so persistent and pushy, if I hadn’t checked with the councillor, I may have let him into my property,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ward 65 councillor Windvogel also warned residents following the incident.

“I urge residents to be aware that scammers are operating in the Seaview area, masquerading as water department contractors. They claim to require access to residents’ properties to install water meter restrictors, but this has been verified as a scam by the Water Department. Residents have reported concerns due to the water meters being situated on municipal verges, making access unnecessary. Please remain vigilant, as these scammers are targeting elderly residents,” she said.

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