Cape Town Residents Targeted by New Electricity scam

The City of Cape Town has issued a warning to residents to remain vigilant and beware of a new electricity scam circulating on WhatsApp, reports Cape {town} Etc.

Scammers are contacting residents via WhatsApp, falsely claiming their electricity services will be disconnected due to outstanding municipal debt.

‘A recent case in Helderberg was reported to the City, where a resident received a WhatsApp message followed by phone calls, falsely stating that their electricity would be disconnected due to municipal account arrears. The scammers requested urgent payment to be made into a bank account or via e-Wallet to avoid service disconnection,’ explained City’s MMC for Energy Xanthea Limberg.

Limberg added that the resident thankfully recognized the scam and immediately reported it to the City.

‘The City is investigating this matter and appeals to all residents to remain alert and report any suspicious encounters. We remind residents that the City does not notify residents of service disconnections via WhatsApp or any other social media platform, and no City official may request payment directly into a bank account or via e-Wallet,’ Limberg emphasized.

Key Takeaways

• Beware of WhatsApp messages threatening disconnection due to outstanding debt.
• The City of Cape Town never notifies residents of disconnections via WhatsApp or social media.
• City officials will not request payment directly into a bank account or via e-wallet.
• Report suspicious activity to the City immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What should I do if I receive a suspicious WhatsApp message?

A: Do not engage with the sender. Do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Report the message to the City of Cape Town and block the sender.

Q: How can I verify if I have outstanding municipal debt?

A: Visit the city of Cape Town’s official website or contact the City’s call center directly to check your account status.

Q: What information should I look for that indicates a scam?

A: Be wary of messages requesting urgent payment, threatening immediate disconnection, or asking for bank account details or e-Wallet transactions.