Beware water disconnection scam, City of Cape Town warns

The City of Cape Town has warned residents to be alert and aware of scammers posing as City water and sanitation staff, soliciting payments from customers to avoid supposed water restrictions and disconnections.

The City will never request payment via cash send or e-wallet to settle municipal bills, they warned in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the City the scam has been ongoing since last year and involves a scammer contacting a City customer via telephone or WhatsApp, claiming to be from the City’s water and sanitation directorate. They then provide the relevant property details and advise the resident that the water to the property will be disconnected immediately due to the municipal account being in arrears. The customer is then told to pay a reconnection fee via cash send or e-wallet, they say.

The City says it most recently became aware of an incident, which involved a customer whose municipal account was up to date.

“We urge residents to remain extra vigilant and to verify any suspicious correspondence directly with the City before taking any action. Our concern is especially for customers who may be in arrears on their municipal accounts, as they could be more vulnerable to scams promising to prevent water disconnections or restrictions,” says Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation.

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Facts

• The City will ever request payment via cash send or e-wallet.
• Property owners should check their monthly municipal bills for the status of their accounts. They are welcome to call the City’s Call Centre should they have queries.
• Residents who are in arrears with their municipal account will receive direct notices from the City via email or post on an official City of Cape Town letterhead.

Report any suspicious behaviour to the City’s law enforcement agencies, the City fraud hotline on 0800 110 077 or to the police.

Customers are also encouraged to make use of the various City communication channels to verify any communication they receive from the City. Call the City on 0860 103 089, SMS 31373, WhatsApp
060 018 1505 or email water@capetown.gov.za

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