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George Municipality warns of ‘discounted’ electricity units being sold online

George Municipality warns of ‘discounted’ electricity units being sold online
Issued by George Municipality 17 February 2023 for immediate release

George Residents who choose to purchase prepaid electricity from a scammer cannot hold the Municipality responsible for that money that is wasted.

George Municipality cannot refund residents in these situations. The Municipality or Ontec, the municipality’s service provider, can verify vendors. If you as a resident are unsure of the validity of a vendor, please check with the Municipality or Ontec.

George Municipality’s Electrotechnical Directorate is aware of fraudulent prepaid electricity units being offered online by scammers and warned residents that only units purchased from approved vendors would be accepted by your prepaid meters. Those selling the units are reportedly offering them at a discounted price – this is a scam.

Ontec can assist in vending verification and confirmation. Usually, all Ontec needs is a token indicating the Service provider (that sells prepaid electricity) and the agent number linked to it. If however nothing is available Ontec urges the public to contact their office to verify and if necessary Ontec will inspect the specific point(s).
The telephone number for Ontec is 044 873 5474.

Debt collection and credit control, as well as sales and distribution of Free Basic Electricity (FBE) rely on the vending foundation, and it is essential that we make use of trustworthy partners in this regard.

Here are the approved directly managed vending outlets below:
Albert Motors, 42 Albert Street, George South,
Denneoord Multisave, corner of Wellington and 8th Avenue, Denneoord ,
Engen Eco Stop corner of Witfontein and CJ Langenhoven,Heather Park,
Total Courtenay, 57 Courtenay Street, George Central,
Total Sandkraal, 48A Sandkraal Road, Borcherds,
Caltex Fourway Motors, corner of York and Discovery Streets, Pacaltsdorp Industria,
Poor Man’s Friend, Fiscal Street, Conville,
Shell Kraaibosch, Knysna Road, Kraaibosch,
Caltex The Waves, 2242 South Street, Wilderness East,
Caltex Wilderness, George Road ,Wilderness,
Uniondale Motors, 62 Voortrekker Street, Uniondale
Royal Uniondale, Lang Straat, Lyonsville,Uniondale
Yorkers Superette, 16 York Street, George South
George Municipality, 69 York Street, George
Ontec George, Progress Street, George
Please be advised that Pick n Pay, Shoprite and the Spars are major retail outlets also included to sell prepaid electricity.

Transgressing vendors and even networks have been switched off before as no transgressions will be tolerated. Vendors are also not allowed to sell electrical units at inflated amounts. Small shops or spaza shops may also not sell electricity to residents on the premise that they should buy other goods first.

Residents who struggle with the cost of electricity are encouraged to reach out to the George Municipality to see if they qualify for assistance. You may also phone 044 801 9029 for assistance.

Call Centre for queries regarding prepaid meter issues – 044 801 9218/9229 or after hours to 063 699 5998 and have your Municipal Account Number and Prepaid Meter Number handy. You can also email your query to elec.applications@george.gov.za and or accounts@george.gov.za