South African part state-owned operator Telkom has warned customers over a scam being run by fraudsters, saying they should be “on the alert” and report any suspicious activity.
Thokozani Mvelase, Telkom group executive for enterprise risk management, said the fraudsters were “depositing” money from Telkom into customer’s bank accounts and then asking for it to be repaid before it clears.
“They deposit a stolen or counterfeit cheque into a customer’s account and then on a false Telkom letterhead inform the customer that Telkom had erroneously deposited the cheque into the customer’s account as reimbursement for overpayment collected on their telephone account. This letter is usually delivered to the customer by hand or via email,” said Mvelase.
The customer is then requested to transfer the amount into a bank account that is purportedly under Telkom’s name.
“This transaction usually happens before the cheque is cleared by the bank. As such, the customer’s account would be fraudulently debited with the cheque amount while the initial cheque deposit is declined by the bank. The fraudsters would, in the interim, have withdrawn the cash from the “Telkom” account thus leaving the customer out of pocket for the value of the initial cheque deposit amount,” said Mvelase.
Telkom is urging customers to be on the alert, and if they receive a “Telkom” or unknown cheque deposit into their bank accounts to phone the nearest Telkom Customer Service Branch.
They should also ask for any person delivering a letter to show a Telkom ID card, and record the card details if one is shown, while also recording the type, make and registration number of any vehicle used.
“It is important that customers remember that Telkom passes credits on telephone accounts if the need arises and does not refund through deposits into customers’ bank accounts,” Mvelase said.
