A new scam is doing the  rounds at local accommodation establishments.  Following on the false over-paying deposits via cheque (after which the scamster calls the lodge/hotel/BB and ask for a cash refund to make up for the overpayment that is not actually paid into the victim’s account in the first place), the new scam sees false electronic payments being made late on a Friday afternoon.

Two incidents were reported over the weekend:  One establishment managed to foil a caller from MZ Construction purporting to book in a person for the weekend.  Payment was to be done on Friday afternoon via EFT.  There was also an ‘add on’ paid in of around R600 which the person who made the booking wanted to be paid out in cash to the employee.  Fortunately, management saw through the ruse and declined the booking.

Unfortunately, another accommodation was not so lucky and booked the person in.  The person also made off with another guest’s laptop.  It was only on the Monday morning that it was realised that the EFT transaction – although proof of payment had been sent through – had not been honoured.

Establishments are warned to take extra cautionary measures when booking people in on Friday afternoons!