SCAM WATCH: Did Eskom really email you an outstanding account?
“Please urgently note that this is a scam - residents are warned not to click on the link provided in the e-mail,”
Eskom has stated that it is aware of an e-mail sent to Kempton Park residents informing them to pay their outstanding Eskom electricity bills.
One such email was sent to the Kempton Express.
“We immediately sent the email on to representatives at Eskom for verification,” said Editor, Charmaine Slater.
“Please urgently note that this is a scam – residents are warned not to click on the link provided in the e-mail,” said Amanda Qithi Eskom Gauteng spokesperson.
“Residents are advised to disregard the email and not to make any payments in line with the e-mail,”
“Payments to Eskom should be made as reflected on the customer statement from Eskom into Eskom’s First National Bank or Absa account.”
Report scams on our toll-free crime line number 0800 11 27 22 or email Forensic@eskom.co.za.
Eskom is aware of the e-mail sent to Kempton Park residents informing them to pay their outstanding Eskom electricity bills.
Residents are advised to disregard the email and not to make any payments in line with the e-mail.
Payments to Eskom should… pic.twitter.com/mYzj7fmd16
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) May 10, 2024
Your gut-instinct can protect you against fraud and scams
Fraud continues to increase for South Africans as consumers fall victim to phishing scams, fraudulent adverts or have their identities stolen by criminals.
According to Momentum Metropolitan’s Cyber Security Team, for the average citizen, information in the wrong hands is a huge threat, making it is easier for criminals to impersonate people and companies.
Right clicking, copy and pasting means you can use anyone’s online pictures or logos.
Also read: Police warn of scammers and fraudsters on the prowl
This form of identity theft can often go unnoticed by the victim and might only find out when unpaid accounts become due, or money is lost. But there are more scams in the fold:
Business Email Compromise
A recent Interpol report found that Africa accounted for 0.75% of the global fraud committed using Business Email Compromise, where fraudsters send an email and make it appear that it came from someone else. Or they intercept email communication and change vital information such as banking details.
Phishing attacks
There has also been a steady increase in phishing attacks over the years, where an email is sent to a victim pretending to be from a legitimate source while trying to elicit sensitive information from the victim or to sneakily install malicious software on their device. It is estimated that world-wide phishing emails are involved in up to 90% of data breaches.
Cryptocurrency myth
Cryptocurrency scams exploit the increased popularity of cryptocurrencies and offer inflated investment opportunities using fake wallets and even fake exchanges. Don’t be fooled with the myth of massive returns from fake investment opportunities.
Employment scams
With a low cost of entry and wide reach, scammers use popular social media platforms to prey on job seekers with fake job advertisements and seemingly impossibly lucrative contracts. Never go to interviews in unprofessional spaces like private homes or hotel rooms.
Also read: How to not fall prey to online scams
What residents can do:
- All consumers must report fraudulent interactions with the SAPS.
- Keep sensitive information, such as how and where you store passwords, private.
- Never click on links unless you are 100 percent sure where the link is from and where it may take you.
- Be wary of Hotmail or Gmail addresses that are supposedly coming from established companies.
- Avoid accessing sensitive services such as your email or internet banking when using public WiFi networks.
