Scam Alerts For Kouga Residents – Beware

Kouga Local Municipality has once again been alerted to a fraudulent scheme circulating via WhatsApp. The scheme preys on residents with false claims of impending disconnection due to outstanding municipal payments.

This scam involves using photos depicting individuals who appear to be Kouga Local Municipality workers, but upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the documents held by these individuals are not authentic.

The modus operandi of this scam involves a deceptive WhatsApp message purportedly sent by someone named Bongani Mashabe, who falsely claims affiliation with Kouga Local Municipality. The message typically begins with a cordial greeting, then asserts that the sender represents the municipality. It then proceeds to inform the recipient about a looming disconnection of services at a specific property due to arrears in the municipal account.

These messages often include the address of the targeted property, which may give the impression of legitimacy. However, it’s crucial to understand that this is merely a tactic to instil fear and urgency in the recipient, prompting them to act hastily without verification.

Residents are advised that this individual is not in any way affiliated with Kouga Local Municipality.

We want to emphasise that Kouga Local Municipality does not engage in such practices. Our official communications regarding billing and services will always be through formal channels, and we will never demand immediate payments under threat of service disconnection.

If you receive any suspicious calls or demands for account information or payments, please verify the authenticity of the request by contacting our official customer service channel at 042 200 2200.