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PUBLIC NOTICE: CYBERCRIME – Beware of Telephone Scams – Unblocking of Prepaid Meters

 

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George Municipality kindly asks that all ratepayers, and Municipal clients be vigilant – we have been informed of telephonic calls and/or WhatsApp messages made to a ratepayer requesting the payment of a large sum of money into an unknown bank account to prevent the blocking of a prepaid meter. The municipality will not contact a ratepayer telephonically or via WhatsApp regarding the blocking of a meter and also not request a large payment into an unknown account to unblock a meter. 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.

When making any payments to the municipal bank account please follow the procedures for sending proof of payment. Cybercriminals 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 etc.) 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.

BANK DETAILS FOR GEORGE MUNICIPALITY
Bank: First National Bank (FNB)
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Number: 62869623150
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Use your GRG municipal account details as a reference and send proof of payment to payments@george.gov.za

For traffic fines only:
Bank: First National Bank (FNB)
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Number: 62869623168
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Use the traffic fine number as a reference.

Please follow these steps to update George Municipality as a beneficiary on your online banking:
1. Delete your current George Municipality beneficiary.
2. Create a new George Municipality beneficiary:
Search for George Municipality as the Institution name and click select,
Continue filling in the required information until the transaction is complete.
3. Should you require any assistance in updating George Municipality as a beneficiary, please feel free to contact our Finance offices on 044 801 9111.

Contact for Debt Control Assistance:
For help, phone the municipality’s debt control section at 044 801 9111 during office hours or via email creditcontrol@george.gov.za

CREDIT CONTROL AFTER-HOURS NUMBER: 072 501 1843 ONLY for EMERGENCY BLOCKED ELECTRICITY METERS during the following hours:
Monday to Friday from 16:30 to 20:00/ Saturday from 8:00 to 20:00 and Sunday from 8:00 to 14:00

Please note: a minimum payment is required before the meter will be unblocked after hours.