PROJECT: CAPE TOWN WATER DISCONNECTION SCAM ALERT
- Isabel Spies
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
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Capetonians face a persistent scam where fraudsters impersonate City of Cape Town Water and Sanitation officials, threatening immediate water cutoffs unless urgent reconnection fees are paid via CashSend or e-wallet.
This tactic, which has been active since 2024,
targets residents by using accurate property details obtained through social engineering.
The City of Cape Town explicitly states it never demands payments through these informal methods.
MODUS OPERANDI OF SCAMMERS:
Scammers initiate contact via phone or WhatsApp, claiming overdue municipal accounts will trigger instant disconnections.
They demand fees exceeding R2,000, often targeting those in valid arrears to heighten panic.
Even customers with up-to-date accounts have been hit, proving the fraud's sophistication.
OFFICIAL CITY POSITION:
Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, warns residents to verify all suspicious communications directly with the City before acting.
Legitimate arrears notices arrive via official email or post on City letterhead, never through unsolicited calls.
The City accepts payments only via authorised channels like cash offices or bank details on bills.
PROTECTION MEASURES:
Ignore demands for CashSend, e-wallet, or personal bank transfers - these are hallmarks of fraud.
Check account status on your monthly bill or contact the City Call Centre at 0860 103 089, SMS 31373, WhatsApp 060 018 1505, or email water@capetown.gov.za.
Report incidents to the City Fraud Hotline (0800 110 077), law enforcement, or SAPS immediately.
This scam exploits payment pressures, especially amid Cape Town's water management challenges,
linking to similar electricity frauds.
Verify independently to safeguard finances and report aggressively to disrupt these operations.
Stay Vigilant.
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Specialist Investigators into
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