A call from "Eskom" or "the municipality": fake discounts, meter updates and cheap prepaid tokens

A call from "Eskom" or "the municipality": fake discounts, meter updates and cheap prepaid tokens

"Good morning, we're calling from Eskom. Your tariff goes up next month, but if we sort it out now we can give you a 20% discount. I just need to confirm a few details." The call sounds professional and offers something everyone wants: to pay less for electricity. In South Africa there is only a handful of places your electricity can come from (Eskom directly, or your municipality), so a scammer who names one of them has a good chance of being right. Behind the call there is usually one of three things: an attempt to get your banking details, a payment for something that should be free or does not exist, or someone selling you prepaid tokens that will get you into trouble.

How does this scam work?

The hook changes from one wave to the next, but it is almost always one of these:

• "Your tariff is going up" or "your account is being moved to a new tariff". They rush you with a supposed price or rule change that forces you to "update" your account today.
• "You qualify for a discount, a refund or free electricity". They offer a reduction, a refund for "overbilling" or a subsidy that only kicks in if you hand over your details or pay an "admin fee".
• "Your prepaid meter needs an urgent update". They say your meter will stop accepting tokens unless you pay for a code, a "new keypad" or a technician's visit, or they offer to load "special" codes over the phone.
• "Cheap tokens". Someone offers prepaid electricity at a big discount through WhatsApp or an unofficial vendor. Tokens from illegal vendors can be fake or can get your meter flagged and blocked.
• "Your gas installation needs inspecting". For homes with gas, they announce an urgent "compulsory" inspection, sometimes with a home visit and payment on the spot.

The real goal is usually one of these:

1. Stealing your banking details. The supposed discount or refund "will be paid into your account", so they ask for your account number, your card or even an OTP sent to you by SMS. That OTP is almost never for receiving money: it approves a payment or registers your card on another device.
2. Charging you there and then. A "deposit", a "meter update fee", an "inspection" or "cheap tokens" that you pay immediately, by EFT, e-wallet or at the door.
3. Getting into your home. A fake "technician" or "meter auditor" at the door can be a cover for theft or for tampering with your meter.

How can I tell the call is fake?

No single sign proves it on its own, but several together are more than enough reason to hang up:

• They ask for details your supplier already has. Eskom or your municipality knows your account number, address and meter number. If "your supplier" asks you to read them out, be suspicious.
• They do not know who you are, or ask who supplies you. "Do you buy electricity from Eskom or the municipality?" is a question from a salesperson or a scammer, not from your supplier.
• There is a rush. "The offer ends today", "if you don't confirm now your meter will be blocked". Real tariff changes are announced publicly and in advance; electricity tariff increases are approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), not decided in a phone call.
• They ask for an OTP you received by SMS. No legitimate supplier needs you to read out a bank code to give you a discount.
• They ask you to pay into a personal account or e-wallet. Real charges appear on your account or statement, and prepaid electricity is bought through official vendors such as your bank, retailers and the supplier's own channels.
• They offer tokens far below the normal price. If it is too cheap, the tokens are illegal or do not exist.
• They want cash or an EFT on the spot for an inspection or a meter "update" you were not expecting.

What do I do during the call?

1. Do not confirm any details. Not your ID number, account number, meter number or banking details. If they read your details out to "verify" them, do not say whether they are right.
2. Do not say "yes, I accept" to anything you have not read. If they offer something interesting, ask for it in writing.
3. Never read out an OTP or install an app they ask you to.
4. Hang up and call back yourself. Find the customer service number on your latest bill, on your municipality's official website or on Eskom's website, and ask whether anything is changing on your account or meter. If it was real, they will confirm it.
5. If someone comes to your door for an inspection or a meter audit you were not expecting, ask for their ID card and job number and do not let them in until you have called your supplier on its official number. If you actually smell gas, that is a different matter: get everyone out, avoid flames and switches, and call the emergency number for your area.

What if I already gave my details or paid?

Do not blame yourself: these calls are designed to sound routine. Act in this order:

1. If you gave banking details or an OTP, call your bank's fraud line now, on the number on your card or in the banking app. Ask them to block the card if you gave it out, watch for transactions and dispute any charges. If an unknown debit order appears, ask your bank to reverse it and to stop future debits from that company.
2. Call your real supplier (Eskom or your municipality) on the number on your bill or official website. Tell them what happened, especially if someone touched your meter or loaded codes on it.
3. If you bought tokens from an unofficial seller and they do not work, do not keep buying from them. Ask your supplier what to do about your meter.
4. If you signed up for a product during a sales call, for example a solar or backup power package you did not really agree to, cancel it in writing. Under the Consumer Protection Act, agreements made because of direct marketing generally have a five-business-day cooling-off period. If the company does not respond, you can complain to the National Consumer Commission.
5. Keep evidence: the number that called you, the time, the name they gave, the SMSs and any contract, invoice or email you receive afterwards.
6. If money was stolen or your details were misused, open a case at your nearest police station (SAPS) and ask for the case number.

If you gave your ID number or banking details, they can be reused in other scams; you will find more about protecting yourself and getting money back on our blog.

Frequently asked questions

Can Eskom or my municipality really call me? Yes, for example about an account in arrears or a planned visit. And salespeople from solar or energy companies also call. The call itself is not the problem; giving details or paying without checking is. When in doubt, hang up and call the number on your bill yourself.

They recorded me saying "yes". Do I now have a contract? A stray "yes" is not enough for a valid agreement, but some companies use it to push products. If something appears that you did not agree to, complain in writing and cancel within the cooling-off period. We explain it in the phone "yes" scam.

Is free basic electricity or an indigent subsidy arranged over the phone? No. Support like this is applied for through your municipality, with documents, not activated by a stranger who calls you and asks for your bank account. If you think you qualify, ask your municipality yourself.

How do I stop them calling me? Ask the company calling you to stop using your details for marketing; under the Protection of Personal Information Act you can complain to the Information Regulator if they continue. A caller ID app such as NoCall warns you before you answer when a number has already been reported by other users.

In short

If "Eskom", "the municipality" or a gas company calls with an urgent discount, a tariff change or a meter update, the rule is simple: do not give details, do not pay, do not say "I accept" and call the number on your bill yourself. Real offers are still there when you check them; fake ones vanish. And if the number seemed suspicious, report it in the spam numbers directory so that other people recognise it before they pick up.