Several senior citizens in Brackenfell have fallen victim to a scammer going around pretending to be an employee from the City’s electricity department to gain access to their homes to steal from them recently.
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.
The latest victim was an 84-year-old man in Springbok Park of whom a cellphone and purse was stolen.
The scammer knocked on his door around 10:00, neatly dressed and speaking Afrikaans.
“He was wearing khaki-coloured trousers with florescent strips at the bottom and a khaki-coloured short-sleeved shirt,” says Crous.
“The 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,” says Crous.
After the man asked for identification the scammer produced a City of Cape Town identity card which according to the victim looked very authentic.
The man was very friendly and convincing, says the senior citizen who opened the door to him allowing him into the house.
“He went from room to room in the complainant’s home. In the main bedroom he went to the complainant’s bed and checked by the headboard. By this time the complainant trusted him and waited for him in his workroom adjacent to the bedroom,” says Crous.
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.
Both his phone and wallet was on his bedside table.
In an earlier incident in January the modus operandi was basically the same.
“Here 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.
Crous says although the incidents could not be positively linked police suspect that it could be the same perpetrator.
“Please 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,” says Crous.
In response to a media enquiry by TygerBurger the City warns residents of such scammers, who have in the past targeted residents in other areas.
“Municipal 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’s call centre to verify it, before allowing anyone onto their property,” the City’s Mayco member for energy, Beverley van Reenen said.
“Remember 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.”
Furthermore, the City confirmed that it is currently carrying out a residential electricity meter upgrade programme for suburbs in Cape Town.
“The 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.
“Once 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’s call centre on 0860 103 089,” says Mayco member for energy Beverley van Reenen.
She urges residents to visit the City’s website to find out if your suburb has been selected for compulsory upgrades and to see the full project schedule.
“We remind residents in the area to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to the City’s law enforcement agencies or to the South African Police Service,” she says.
- The call centre can be reached on 0860 103 089 to confirm whether work is being carried out in their area and an official must be advised that they will only be allowed entry once the call centre has verified their identity.
- For more information about the City’s meter replacement programme, visit: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Electricity/apply-for-an-upgrade-to-a-new-prepaid-electricity-meter
