Beware: New Water Meter Scam Targeting South African Homeowners

A new scam is hitting South African homeowners, with criminals posing as water officials to demand payments for water meters.

Fidelity ADT has issued a security warning after increased reports of this scam, particularly in Johannesburg’s Craighall Park and surrounding areas.

Criminals arrive in unmarked vehicles, dig up water meters, and then call homeowners, demanding immediate payment to prevent removal. If victims refuse, they are left without water access.

“These criminals appear to have access to arrears information, using it to pressure their victims into making payments,” said Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing & Communications at Fidelity ADT.

How the Water Meter Scam Works

This scam is part of a larger criminal trend where fraudsters impersonate municipal workers or maintenance contractors to extort money from homeowners.

Recent Incidents Reported:

Johannesburg: Criminals in Craighall Park dig up water meters and demand money to stop removal.
Cape Town: Fake City of Cape Town employees use ID badges and fake scanner devices to access homes.
Durban: Scammers pretend to be municipal workers, claiming residents’ accounts are in arrears to extort payments.

This tactic is especially effective against elderly homeowners, who are often more trusting of uniformed workers.

How to Protect Yourself from the Water Meter Scam

Fidelity ADT has shared five key safety tips to prevent falling victim to this scam:

Verify Credentials – Always ask for official identification and contact Johannesburg Water or your local municipality to confirm their legitimacy.

Do Not Make On-the-Spot Payments – Legitimate municipal workers will never demand immediate cash or bank transfers.

Be Wary of Unscheduled Visits – If you weren’t notified about maintenance work, assume unexpected visitors could be scammers.

Report Suspicious Activity – If you see people digging near water meters or acting suspiciously, alert your security provider and local authorities.

Keep a Panic Button Nearby – Have quick access to emergency services via a remote panic button in case of threats.

“We encourage residents to stay aware and report any suspicious individuals attempting to tamper with meters,” said Hattingh.

What to Do If You Are Targeted

Do not engage with scammers—report them to your security provider or Johannesburg Water immediately.
Take photos or videos of the individuals and their vehicle (if safe to do so).
Warn your neighbors so they don’t fall victim to the same scam.

As criminals continue to adapt their tactics, vigilance and community awareness are the best ways to protect your home and personal information.

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