Residents are warned not to fall victim to scammers posing as fire brigade officials from the City of Ekuhuleni (CoE).
These scammers, armed with a ‘compliance’ form bearing the city’s logo, target schools and non-governmental organisations and present themselves as city officials.
They indicate that they are tasked to investigate if the school or organisation complies with the city’s fire and safety practices and issue fines of non-compliance.
The form they present has an account number they claim the purported fine must be paid into, claiming it belongs to the municipality.
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This scam was brought to the attention of the city and already five cases of fraud have been opened with the SAPS and are now under investigation.
The notice form used by the scammers has an incorrect email address, order number and contact number.All official CoE correspondence emails have an ekurhuleni.gov.za address, not a gmail address.
Fraudulent orders are hand written and don’t have the DEMS/FSS reference number.
An official order number is typed, and signed by the official inspector as well as the client.
In order to comply, it must have the contact number 011 999 0193 and the email address.
The correct contact number during working hours for the executive manager in charge of the proactive section is 011 999 0193.
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The offices are located at DEMS headquarters, 3 Hawley Road, Bedfordview.
Residents must note that members of emergency services must at all times be in uniform with a name tag and drive an official vehicle with CoE branding.
The notice form should be hand written with the correct email address and contact details of the relevant officer.
Members of the public who suspect they have been scammed can contact Sandra Du Rand (executive manager, proactive services) on 011 999 0193 or email Sandra.Durand@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
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