Be wary of criminals impersonating municipal workers, Pretoria residents warned

Private security company ADT Fidelity warned Pretoria residents to be on the lookout for criminals who are impersonating municipal workers.

“This is, unfortunately, not a new trend,” said ADT Fidelity spokesperson Charnel Hattingh.

“Criminals are always finding more innovative ways to successfully gain access to properties. Burglars keep an eye on the property to observe patterns and determine when domestic staff are in the house alone to take advantage.’’

Hattingh reiterated the dangers of opening the gate to strangers.

“Homeowners must fully enforce a rule with anyone at home not to open the gate to strangers – no matter whom they say they are.

“Homes should ideally have an intercom system from which you can see who is at the gate and communicate with them about what they want without you having to go outside.”

Hattingh had the following tips for what to do when a stranger is at the gate:

– Residents need to ask who they are and what they want.

– If they were not expected, they should not be let in, no matter what their story.

– If the stranger said the homeowners ordered them to repair something, the domestic worker needs to phone the employer immediately to verify.

– If a resident’s home does not have an intercom system, they must talk through the window from the safety of a locked-up house.

– Residents must keep a remote panic with them at all times and not hesitate to alert any security service provider if there is anything or anyone suspicious.

“Strangers at one’s gate must be treated as suspicious. This includes people begging for food or even anyone with babies in prams.”

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