Metro warns of municipal debt scam
A bogus group was seemingly created to "assist residents with financial aid regarding their City of Tshwane account arrears".
The Tshwane metro has cautioned ratepayers about a social media scam in which residents are encouraged to join the “Tshwane Electricity WhatsApp group”.
This bogus group was purportedly created “to assist residents with financial aid regarding their metro account arrears”.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the perpetrators demanded 10 percent of the total outstanding amount for accounts that were more than R50 000 in arears.
“Unsuspecting ratepayers would then email their proof of payment to tshwane@electricity.org.za or submit through WhatsApp number 072 157 8811 together with their latest water and lights accounts,” he said.
Mashigo said that the city did not communicate with residents through WhatsApp groups.
ALSO READ: North police warns against latest scam
“We want to emphasise that the only email accounts used by our customer care centres to interact with customers on service delivery matters and municipal accounts are customers@tshwane.gov.za and creditcontrol@tshwane.gov.za
“The metro distances itself from the fraudulent WhatsApp group and email account,” he said.
“All payment arrangements for municipal accounts that are in arrears must be done in person at any customer care walk-in centre. No payment arrangements can be made online,” Mashigo said.
He urged the public to be vigilant online.
“The city is appalled at scammers who prey on the emotions of unsuspecting community members by manufacturing information about the existence of aid on municipal accounts that are in arrears. We wish to warn those who peddle such false information that they will be arrested, charged and prosecuted because their actions border on criminality.”
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
