Cape Town: The Electricity Generation and Distribution Department of the City of Cape Town urged the residents to be aware of the scammers who are pretending to be the City Electricity officials.
The teams have been made aware of the scammers in the Sand-drift area who are pretending to work for the Cape Town to gain access to the home of residents.
The electricity staff and contractors of the city are in neighbourhoods to do legitimate meter readings and other work. The department officers asked the residents to always be alert and to verify the identity of the officials with the city before allowing the officials access to their property.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Energy – Alderman Xanthea Limberg said that a Sand-drift resident has recently reported to the city that two scammers visited her home claiming that they work for the Electricity Department for the city, to check on electricity prepaid meters in the area.
And once the resident allowed the scammers access to their home, they stole the items while the resident was not alert and looking at them. These incidents happen far too often and city officers asked the residents to always stay alert, especially the elderly residents.
Residents are also urged to verify the identity of the officials and work for order number with the city before giving them access to their homes.
According to Limberg, all legitimate city staff and contractors will identify themselves before asking for access for legitimate city related electricity work. The identification card must display and consists of the city logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor. It must also contain an embedded photo of the staff member or the mandated contractor. For further inquiry or details the residents can also contact at the City’s Call Centre.
Further, the city also extended their gratitude for being vigilant, as they ask to please refrain from any type of aggressive action such as threats or intimidation of legitimate city staff and contractors doing meter reading or other critical electricity infrastructure work in their neighbourhoods.