Mangaung residents warned about scam run by so-called Centlec employees

Residents of the Mangaung Metro are warned about a new scam involving criminals posing as Centlec workers.

These so-called employees of Centlec are contacting customers using the cellphone number 077-283-5265, saying that the customer’s electricity meter has been tampered with and therefore a fine of R3 000, which is payable immediately, has been imposed.

Customer are threatened that if they do not pay the fine, their electricity will be disconected.

Lele Mamatu, spokesperson for Centlec, the metro’s electricity supplier, has warned residents not to respond to these threats.

”All Centlec employees have identity cards, which they must use to confirm that they work for Centlec. Furthermore, Centlec employees are not allowed to ask for cash payments from any of our customers for the service we provide, and therefore the community is advised to never make any cash payments directly to anyone.”

Mamatu says members of the community are requested to report any foul play or suspicious criminal behaviour to the nearest police station, or to alternatively contact Centlec’s 24-hour fraud hotline on 051-412-2239, or 064-616-5774 or fraudandcorruption@centlec.co.za.