Tshwane residents warned of revenue collection scam
The city does not call customers to inform them that officials are coming to disconnect properties with arrears account.
Tshwane residents are advised to report any suspicious “contractors” who claim to disconnect power supply to customers owing the municipality.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo warned against individuals purporting to be officials from the city’s revenue collection.
“These perpetrators are making calls to customers under false pretences.
“They tell unsuspecting customers that they are checking the city’s systems regarding customers‘ account payments,” said Mashigo.
He warned that the caller will indicate to the customer that they are coming to disconnect.
“They tell the customer that they are in the area to disconnect power for various reasons like illegal connections, non-payment or rezoning.”
Mashigo warned that if customers received such calls they must know that it is a scam.
“The city does not call customers to inform them that officials are coming to disconnect.
“As part of the city’s revenue collection programme, technicians are dispatched, without warning, to disconnect arrears accounts,” Mashigo said.
He said when the city’s credit control official called, they introduced themselves, and tell the reason for the call, for instance, which property is owing.
The control officer will tell the customer the last time payment was made to the account in question.
Customers will be directed to make payments at the city’s walk-in customer service centre or through authorised third parties, not individuals.
He warned those extorting money from customers that they will be arrested, charged and prosecuted.
He advised customers to report suspicious activity to the police or the City’s fraud hotline.
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