Residents are urged to be on alert and aware of a scam doing the rounds, where money is solicited from City customers to avoid supposed water restrictions/disconnections due to non-payment. The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate warns that this is a scam. Residents are advised to report all suspicious behaviour or requests to the City and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Read more below:

The City has been made aware of a new scam where the scammer contacts 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 advising that the water to the property will be disconnected immediately due to the municipal account being in arrears. The customer is then told that, to avoid water supply disconnection and the subsequent reconnection fee, a payment in excess of R2 000 must be made via cash send or e-wallet.

At least two separate incidents of this nature have been reported to the City, affecting customers in Parklands and Durbanville whose municipal accounts were both up to date.

Report any suspicious behaviour to the City's law enforcement agencies or the City's Fraud Hotline on 0800 1100 77 or to the South African Police Service. The SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention.

Customers are encouraged to make use of the various City communication channels to verify any communication they receive from the City:

· Phone: 0860 103 089

· SMS: 31373 (maximum 160 characters, free SMSs do not apply)

· WhatsApp: 060 018 1505

· Email: water@capetown.gov.za

· To log a service request (often called a C3 request)

· Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests

‘We appeal to residents to be extra vigilant and rather verify any suspicious correspondence that they receive directly with the City. We are particularly concerned about customers who do find themselves in arrears with their municipal accounts that would easily be lured to make payments, to avoid their water from being disconnected or restricted. ‘said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councilor Zahid Badroodien.

Supplied by: City of Cape Town