Swindled for R18 000

An elderly Ballito resident has become the latest victim in an alleged scam by a Durban-based direct marketing company.

The 90-year-old man, who asked not to be named, lost R18 100 to United Thermal Technology, in circumstances similar to other reported cases.

“I received a phone call from the company, telling me how to save electricity usage on my geyser. I said I had no use for any energy-saving device as I heat just enough water for myself. But I agreed to buy the instant water heater, after the demonstration.”

He said the man who did the demonstration said he would be invoiced for R2000, which he agreed to.

A few days later when no goods had been delivered, a friend checked his cellphone and saw that R18 100 had been withdrawn from his account.

“When the transaction took place I could not read the small print on my cellphone, so I had no idea how much money they had taken. My friend did a search on the internet and came up with a host of articles about the company allegedly ripping others off.”

It has been reported in other media that the company, based in Glenwood, was using Eskom's name to sell the R2 200 Intellisaver to residents.

Gullible customers were then also sold a geyser water-heating device for R15 000.

The company name given differed in some homes, but the address remained constant: 261 Che Guevara Road, Glenwood.

There is no fax or email address listed on the invoice, and a contact number simply rings off the hook.

“I did manage to get through once and was told by a man named Alistair that I would get my money back. I did not, and now I cannot get through. I am warning other people so nobody else gets caught.”

When the Courier attempted to contact the company on the telephone number reflected on the invoice, a receptionist said the company had been closed down.