Watch out for scammer 'Raymond'

If a man by the name of "Raymond Dube" pops up at your front door in Hout Bay, claiming to be from the City of Cape Town, you are probably about to be scammed.

Earlier this week, a resident in Imizamo Yethu received a call from the man, claiming he had to visit her property in order to disconnect the electricity after being "instructed by the City".

Nomandla Mbeka said "Raymond Dube" offered to leave her lights on, for a fee of only R500.

"I asked him if he was able to show me the paperwork, but he said it was back in the office and that he was told to come to that address and by the end of the day, those lights must be off, otherwise he loses his job," she said.

A puzzled Ms Mbeka refused to pay the fee and then asked "Raymond Dube" and his accomplice to leave her IY home, but questioned why these scammers would target people already facing a struggle.

"They are so cruel, because in most instances, lots of people around here will believe them and also be used, because they will pay that fee just to keep their lights on," Ms Mbeka explained, adding that after she chased away the scammers, her lights remained on. 

The City of Cape Town is well aware of the infamous "Raymond Dube" after having received several reports and even text messages and pictures of the scammer in action.

The City's Mayoral committee member for energy, Xanthea Limberg, said the individual "Raymond Dube" has been posing as a City official, with reports in the Hout Bay and Strand areas, asking for a fee to prevent an electricity meter disconnection.

"This is a scam," she said. 

"The City does not disconnect prepaid meters and municipal debt is deducted via the electricity prepaid vending system in accordance with the City’s Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. All due processes are followed and debtors are informed beforehand to give them enough time to make the necessary arrangements," Ms Limberg explained.

Even if the account is in arrears, Ms Limberg said a visit from the City was highly unlikely, but rather deducted via the pre-paid purchases. 

"They are given an opportunity to either settle their debt or to enter into a payment arrangement, but if the notice is ignored the debt collection process commences, which includes the collection of arrears via electricity pre-paid purchases," she said.

In instances where people were visited by "Raymond Dube", the City said he was reported immediately and he managed to disappear.

Ms Limberg encouraged residents to report and immediately block any WhatsApp messages received from this account or from the individual mentioned.

"This is not from a City of Cape Town member of staff or contractor," she stressed. 

City staff and contractors are issued with work order numbers, as well as official City identification. If unsure, residents are urged to call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 and confirm the work order number and staff.