Scammers find a new way to make money

It seems that criminals have found a new way to scam property owners- by claiming to be working for the city and threatening to terminate water services to people’s houses by telling them that their accounts are in arrears and demanding cash payments to settle their bills.

According to a press release issued by Kgamanyane Maphologela on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, “The utility is warning residents to not accept strangers onto their property, especially those claiming to work for the city.”

The same statement also reiterated that: “Pre-termination is often the last resort from the city to unresponsive residents who owe, as the city continues to engage residents about their municipal bill by sending statements, messages, phone calls and follow-ups.”

What this in effect means for residents is that although the city is on a drive to recover monies owed to it by non-payers- residents are warned that the city employees are not allowed to demand cash from residents. The city’s recoveries department’s contact details for payment arrangements will always appear on legitimate notices.

Some residents recently received pre-termination notice letters that claimed that their water bills are unpaid, and water services will be disrupted if they don’t make cash payments.

Residents took to social media to share their opinion on this matter and raise concerns about their safety, as the fake contractors who took pictures of their homes.

PapaAmu Khoza wrote, “The city must stop gaslighting us, rather issue a response stating whether or not these termination notices are legit.”

Mary Stephens posted, “We are not safe, people invade our privacy, and having easy access to our home addresses is scary.”

It is believed that people claiming to work for the city take pictures of your home and threaten to sell it if you don’t make payment arrangements with them.

In the press release the city urges residents who may have received these bogus notices to disregard them. Instead, contact the city should you be aware that you are in arrears to double-check that a notice was indeed issued. In this case, it’s also advisable not to contact emails or numbers on the bogus letters but instead to go onto the city’s website or use the contact details below.

According to the statement they released; the city categorically denies having any connection with these scammers or the termination notices they distributed.

How residents can protect themselves:

· Always check your municipal statements to check if your account is in arrears and if so, contact the city immediately.

· If unsure about how much you owe, contact the city by either calling the city’s call centre (086 056 2874) or visit your nearest customer service centre.

· Ask for proof of identity from anyone coming to your home claiming to be from the city. Call the call centre to verify that they are a city employee or contractor BEFORE allowing them onto your property.

· Never pay anyone who requests payment at your home.

· Call the city’s anti-fraud and corruption hotline (080 000 2587) to report anyone who requests bribes.