Mapaballo Borotho
- Johannesburg residents are being warned about a fake SMS claiming to offer Free Basic Electricity vouchers.
- City Power says the messages are a scam and could compromise personal information.
- Customers are urged to ignore suspicious codes and ensure their FBE registration is up to date.
Johannesburg residents have been warned about a fraudulent SMS currently circulating, falsely claiming to be linked to the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) Programme.
City Power says these messages, which are instructing recipients to dial a specific code to redeem a free electricity voucher, are a scam.
“Our systems do not generate any SMS of this nature, and the City of Johannesburg Health and Social Development Department does not request approved customers to use USSD codes or external links to receive FBE benefits,” said City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
Joburgers have been strongly warned that entering any codes received from suspicious messages may compromise their personal information and expose them to fraud.
“Scammers often target unsuspecting customers during the festive season, using programmes like FBE as a disguise to gain access to their details. For this reason, we urge customers to treat any unexpected messages with caution, especially those that create a sense of urgency or pressure,” Mangena added.
City Power also reminds customers about the ongoing registration process and encourages those currently receiving FBE units to check and renew their benefits to ensure they remain active on the system, as renewals must be done every 12 months.
Under the FBE programme, qualifying customers receive between 50 kWh and up to 120 kWh of free electricity per month, depending on household vulnerability.
The programme targets pensioners, people with disabilities, child-headed households, unemployed individuals, women, residents in informal settlements or high-density areas, and those earning R7,800 or less per month.
READ NEXT: Mkhwanazi denies involvement in alleged Brakpan murder cover-up
The post Joburg residents warned of fake Free Basic Electricity SMS scam appeared first on KAYA 959.
