Residents are warned not to get scammed by bogus “Madibeng officials” who threaten them with electricity disconnection if they don’t make immediate payment.
One business was contacted by an “official” who told them to pay R16 000 immediately to prevent their electricity supply from being disconnected within 30 minutes. “The so-called official knew the exact amount of our latest account. Although I knew our account was in credit, I paid the amount into Madibeng’s official account to avoid any disruption. I know that Madibeng’s accounts are often in shambles and thought I would sort the confusion out later,” the business owner said.
The business owner phoned the “official”, who introduced himself as Jacob, and told him he had paid and sent the proof of payment. “I was then told I had paid the money into the wrong account. He told me I should pay it into the Madibeng “cut-off” account, and started giving me the account number. I immediately realised it was a scam and asked him if he thought I was an idiot. I was told that our electricity would be disconnected in 30 minutes, and of course, it wasn’t. What concerns me is that ‘Jacob’ knew the exact amount of the bill, and he knew I had paid it into the official account. I suspect this is an inside job. We just want to alert other residents to be aware of the scam.”
Many residents were scammed by bogus City of Tshwane (CoT) officials last year who used the same modus operandi. CoT at the time issued a warning to its customers to be aware of these scams. “We want to warn the public not to entertain these perpetrators, as this is a scam. The municipality does not call customers to inform them that their accounts are in arrears and that officials are coming to disconnect them. Technicians are dispatched, without warning, to disconnect properties that are in arrears,” CoT said at the time.
Kormorant is waiting for comment from Madibeng Municipality.
