Beware of bogus characters barging into your home, pretending to be power utility Eskom suppliers and assessors.
The parastatal is warning residents to take caution as fake suppliers are gaining access to their homes by claiming to conduct free energy assessments on behalf the power utility.
According to recent reports, the alleged fake companies’ employees point the geysers out as the main cause of high energy consumption, and convinces the consumer to purchase a solar heater from them.
Eskom’s senior general manager for Integrated Demand Management Andrew Etzinger confirmed that several homes had been targeted by fake suppliers under the pretence of conducting assessments for them, and advises residents to take caution when letting strangers into their houses.
“This is a very serious matter. Home owners need to exercise caution in such serious cases and contact our call centre on 086 003 7566 the moment anyone claims to be our employees,” Etzinger advised.
“Ask for valid identification and do not allow anyone on your premises without identification from the company. There is almost never a need for an Eskom employee to be inside the consumer’s home.”
Etzinger added that Eskom’s policy is not to insist on what products or equipment consumers should use and, certainly, they do not arrange appliances or equipment.
Home owners are strongly advised against buying anything from a supplier claiming to have been tested or endorsed by Eskom.
“You are under no obligation to allow anyone into your home to conduct energy assessments or sell you energy-saving products. Be skeptical when a sales personnel claiming to be from Eskom approaches you,” he cautioned.
So how can you ensure the wool is not pulled over your eyes by convincing fraudsters?
Etzinger said Eskom notifies residents when energy-saving interventions are to take place beforehand and runs several campaigns in the local media.
“We work together with municipalities by placing ads in the local paper and we use billboards frequently. We take great care to communicate with consumers before we do anything.”
Consumers are encouraged to call Eskom’s call centre or visit www.eskom.co.za/idm for a list of accredited solar water-heating system suppliers.
