Elderly targeted in load-shedding scam
A smartly dressed con artist is cheating pensioners in Pretoria out of their money by claiming that Eskom will not target them for load shedding if they buy a special certificate from him that "ensures" exemption.
Marina van Staden, a caretaker at Fairview flats in Leyds Street, said the well-spoken man approached her this week and said the block would be affected by load shedding for the next couple of months.
"He then told me that if there were any pensioners living here they could buy an exemption certificate for R300.
"When I asked him how it worked, he said Eskom would send inspectors around and those who had the certificate would not lose their power.
"He also offered to install prepaid meters, saying that they stopped the effects of load shedding and said we could buy them from him as well," she said.
It was only after Van Staden asked for a business card and the man said he had accidentally "forgotten" it in his car, that she realised something was amiss.
"When he did not return and my lights stayed on, I knew something was wrong. It is terrible what he is doing," she said.
Eskom spokesperson Nto Rikhotso said Eskom was not involved in any initiative such as the man was proposing.
"This is a scheme by unscrupulous individuals who want to use the organisation's name to fleece the public," she said.
She said people who come into contact with anyone claiming to be from Eskom should demand positive proof of identification. - Graeme Hosken
