{"id":55535,"date":"2022-03-23T06:10:41","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T04:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/elderly-scammed-in-brackenfell-20220323\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T19:49:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T17:49:36","slug":"elderly-scammed-in-brackenfell-20220323","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/elderly-scammed-in-brackenfell-20220323\/","title":{"rendered":"Elderly scammed in Brackenfell"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Several senior citizens in Brackenfell have fallen victim to a scammer going around pretending to be an employee from the City\u2019s electricity department to gain access to their homes to steal from them recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An undisclosed amount of cases were reported to Brackenfell police since January, says police spokesperson Capt Erica Crous who is urging the community, especially senior citizens, to be very careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest victim was an 84-year-old man in Springbok Park of whom a cellphone and purse was stolen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scammer knocked on his door around 10:00, neatly dressed and speaking Afrikaans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was wearing khaki-coloured trousers with florescent strips at the bottom and a khaki-coloured short-sleeved shirt,\u201d says Crous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe perpetrator alleged that he works for the City of Cape Town and they are doing a survey specifically checking the homes of senior citizens to see how their municipal tariffs can be reduced. For this survey he said he needed to check the amount of plugs in the house and the electricity box,\u201d says Crous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the man asked for identification the scammer produced a City of Cape Town identity card which according to the victim looked very authentic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man was very friendly and convincing, says the senior citizen who opened the door to him allowing him into the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe went from room to room in the complainant\u2019s home. In the main bedroom he went to the complainant\u2019s bed and checked by the headboard. By this time the complainant trusted him and waited for him in his workroom adjacent to the bedroom,\u201d says Crous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was only after the suspect left that the elderly man realised his phone and his wallet was missing when he wanted to make a telephone call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both his phone and wallet was on his bedside table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an earlier incident in January the modus operandi was basically the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHere the suspect wore blue overall trousers and a light blue T-shirt. He also produced a City of Cape Town identity card and indicated that he had to inspect the electricity box and water meter. He also took cellphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crous says although the incidents could not be positively linked police suspect that it could be the same perpetrator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease be vigilant at all times and make very sure before you allow anyone to enter your house. Although both victims as mentioned above were very cautious the suspect managed to convince them. Always trust your first instinct. If you have even the slightest suspicion, do not let the person enter. Immediately phone the City of Cape Town offices and\/or the police. Refrain from leaving items such as phones, wallets, cash or any small valuable items on countertops or areas where it can be easily spotted and taken. Join your local neighbourhood watch to stay updated about what is going on in your area in terms of crime,\u201d says Crous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to a media enquiry by TygerBurger <\/em>the City warns residents of such scammers, who have in the past targeted residents in other areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMunicipal workers and contractors must carry a work order number specific to that dwelling and a City-issued identification card. Residents should please ask to check the official identification card, take a photo of it and phone the City\u2019s call centre to verify it, before allowing anyone onto their property,\u201d the City\u2019s Mayco member for energy, Beverley van Reenen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRemember that the identification card must display the City logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor, and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the City confirmed that it is currently carrying out a residential electricity meter upgrade programme for suburbs in Cape Town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe City appointed a contractor to replace older single and three-phase electricity credit meters with new prepaid meters in selected suburbs across Cape Town. The cost of the new meters is covered by the City in suburbs where the programme is active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOnce the earmarked area is due for the upgrade, our contractor will drop a letter in your post box to arrange an appointment. After arranging a suitable time for the meter upgrade, you can verify the supplied reference number by phoning the City\u2019s call centre on 0860 103 089,\u201d says Mayco member for energy Beverley van Reenen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She urges residents to visit the City\u2019s website to find out if your suburb has been selected for compulsory upgrades and to see the full project schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe remind residents in the area to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to the City\u2019s law enforcement agencies or to the South African Police Service,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n