City denounces scam
27 August 2019
Tshwane residents, particularly ratepayers, are cautioned about a scam that is doing the rounds on social media platforms which encourages residents to join the Tshwane Electricity WhatsApp group.
This group was seemingly created to assist residents with financial aid regarding their City of Tshwane accounts that are in arrears. The group can also be used to raise issues and rate the services of the City’s Energy and Electricity Division. The perpetrators demand 10% of the total outstanding amount for accounts that are more than R50 000,00 in arears. It further requests a minimum of R5 000,00 for lower amounts upon submission of the application for financial assistance. Proof of payment must then be emailed to tshwane@electricity.org.za or submitted through WhatsApp number 072 157 8811 together with the latest water and lights accounts.
The City of Tshwane wants to emphasise that the only email accounts used by its customer care centres to interact with customers on matters related to service delivery and municipal accounts are customers@tshwane.gov.za and creditcontrol@tshwane.gov.za. The City does not use a WhatsApp group.
The City distances itself from the fraudulent WhatsApp group and email account, because these are not official City of Tshwane communication platforms. Moreover, all payment arrangements for municipal accounts that are in arrears must be done in‑person at any customer care walk-in centre. No payment arrangements can be made online.
We urge the public to be vigilant when dealing with such matters. The City is appalled at scammers who prey on the emotions of unsuspecting community members by manufacturing information about the existence of aid on municipal accounts that are in arrears.
We wish to warn those who peddle such false information that they will be arrested, charged and prosecuted because their actions border on criminality.
Further, we request the public to report to the City’s Anti-fraud Hotline number (080 874 9263) or to send an email to moeketsint@tshwane.gov.za whenever they come across such adverts that are issued outside the City’s processes and procedures.
Issued by Group Communication, Marketing and Events Department.