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George Municipality is warning residents of a WhatsApp scam in which a person named “Kenny Ngene" purports to be from the Municipality offering services to ratepayers for payment.
Spokesperson, Chantel Edwards, said “Ngene” who claimed to be head of disconnections, has sent messages to residents requesting large payments into an unknown bank account to prevent their prepaid meters from being blocked.
“This individual does not represent and is not employed by the George Municipality,” she said.
Edwards said a prepaid meter would only be blocked if a person has outstanding payments on their municipal account and makes no effort to contact the municipality about the arrears even after several SMS were sent directly to their registered contact number as the municipal account holder.
She said only then would a prepaid meter be blocked, and the person would have to come in or phone in to resolve and discuss payment arrangements.
Edwards said George municipal officials and agents would “always wear identifiable name tags or carry appointment certificates”, adding that residents are encouraged to verify the appointment of any individual claiming to represent the Municipality.
