GEORGE NEWS - Telephone calls were made to a ratepayer, requesting the payment of a large sum of money into an unknown bank account. According to a statement released by George Municipality, this was supposed to "prevent the blocking of a prepaid meter".

George Municipality asks that all ratepayers and municipal clients be extremely vigilant. "The municipality will not contact a ratepayer telephonically regarding the blocking of a meter, and also not request a large payment into an unknown account to unblock a meter," reads their statement. 

"Your prepaid meter will only be blocked if you have outstanding payments on your municipal account, and despite us sending you several SMS (directly to your registered contact number as the municipal account holder), you make no effort to get in touch with us.

"Only then will your prepaid meter be blocked and you will have to come in or phone in to resolve and discuss payment arrangements."

Payments

When making any payments to the municipal bank account follow the procedures for sending proof of payment. Cyber criminals constantly challenge any measures put in place and clients are asked to be vigilant.

The public is urged to carefully check and confirm the municipality’s banking details as received on a municipal invoice.

"It remains your responsibility as the payer (ratepayer, citizen, business, client of the municipality) to ensure that the correct banking details are captured when making payments to George Municipality, as the insurance companies and banks also do not accept any risk if a transaction approved and authorised by yourself ends up being to fraudulent sources."

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