Municipality Warns Residents About Phone Payment Scam

KOMANI – Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality has issued a warning to residents about a scam targeting municipal account holders after reports emerged of an individual allegedly posing as a municipal employee and requesting payments over the phone.

According to the municipality, the suspect identifies himself as “David” and contacts residents claiming that money is owed on municipal accounts. Residents are then allegedly asked to make payments directly following the phone call.

The municipality has stressed that it does not contact residents by phone to request payment for municipal accounts.

In a public notice released this week, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality said all legitimate payments for municipal services must be made through approved payment channels.

Residents can settle their accounts through EFT, at municipal offices, or at authorised retailers including Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, SPAR, Usave and Boxer.

The municipality has urged the public to remain vigilant and not share personal, banking or financial information with anyone claiming to represent the municipality over the phone.

Anyone who receives suspicious calls or messages relating to municipal account payments is advised to ignore the requests and verify any account-related queries directly with the municipality through its official channels.

The warning comes as scammers increasingly target residents by impersonating government officials and service providers in an attempt to obtain money or sensitive personal information.

Residents are encouraged to alert family members, particularly elderly relatives, who may be more vulnerable to such scams.