Update: Municipality comments on prepaid meter scam
We would like to inform the community that there is no person from the municipality who has been sent out to do such a job
Commenting on the prepaid meter scam currently doing the rounds in town, Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality has issued a press release to this effect:
“Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality would like to warn the community, especially pensioners, of people who are currently posing as municipal officials from the electricity department.
These people are calling homeowners who use prepaid electricity and promising to install new prepaid meters. These meters, they say, will assist in decreasing the tariffs for pensioners so they won’t pay a lot of money on electricity.
A couple in Observation has already fallen victim to these people. This couple had a visit from an Indian man calling himself “ASLAM”. He filled in forms that have the Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipal letterhead.
On the form, he fills out all their personal details.
Further to that, he took an amount of R1200 from the couple, saying that the money is for installation of a new meter as well as a new electricity card. “Aslam” then gives them a receipt and leaves with a promise that the new prepaid meter will be installed in a few days.
As Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality, we would like to inform the community that there is no person from the municipality who has been sent out to do such a job.
And municipal officials do not accept payment and issue out receipts at people’s homes.
This is a scam and should such a person arrive at your home, do not fill in any forms or give personal details. Please contact the SAPS or the Electricity Department immediately.”
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