DA Urges Residents To Stay Alert As Imposters Pose As Fake City Officials
by Cllr. Lornette Joseph — DA Councillor for Ward 27 in Ekurhuleni
Date: 4 October 2022
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
The Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni is urging residents to stay alert as some criminals have been posing as City Officials.
In recent weeks the DA has noted an increase in residents who have been scammed out of thousands of Rand’s by criminals posing as City Officials.
How the scam works is that the “official” will advise you that your meter has been tampered with and that you are required to pay a fine of between R2000 and R5000. They further advise that you need to pay this amount via cash as they are contractors and they do not have the contractors banking details on hand.
Once you pay, they will either “fix” the meter for you, or they will tamper with the meter themselves. If your meter doesn’t ‘work’ they then sell you a working meter for R4600 or more. Further, when a resident logs a call the real City of Ekurhuleni official will come out, see a tampered meter, and they will issue a fine and block the meter. In which case the resident will then need to go to the Customer Care Center, to pay the actual fine.
While inspections are being carried out on properties, at no point will a City official or contractor ask you for money. Any fines issued by the City are on official Ekurhuleni documentation and you are required to visit the offices to make a payment.
It is important to note that all officials carry clear City of Ekurhuleni identification, and you can take a photo of the ID cards before allowing people into your yard.
If someone does approach you and asks for money, please take as much details as possible including the car registration, if it is safe to do so and send that information to your Ward Councillor.
Your safety is our priority.
Please be on high alert and do not fall victim to these con artists.
Cllr. Lornette Joseph
DA Councillor in Ward 27 Ekurhuleni
083 847 4510
