Cape Town residents seeking housing opportunities are being urged to stay alert as scammers continue to target vulnerable communities with false promises and misleading messages.
It comes after the Human Settlements Directorate has seen an increase in fraudulent communications designed to trick residents into believing they have been approved for housing or can secure placement in exchange for a fee. The City says these scams often spread through email, SMS and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.
The warning forms part of a renewed public awareness push aimed at helping residents recognise red flags and avoid financial loss.
According to the City of Cape Town, officials are particularly concerned about emails claiming to originate from the City’s Human Settlements Directorate or the National Department of Human Settlements.
‘We are aware of bogus emails and messages circulating that falsely claim to be from the City’s Human Settlements Directorate or the National Department of Human Settlements,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim.
He noted that many of the latest scam messages are sent from Gmail accounts, which he described as an immediate red flag.
Another warning sign is the use of outdated terminology, as several messages claim residents qualify for Reconstruction and Development Programme housing in return for payment.
‘Residents are reminded that the subsidy housing programmes used to be under the RDP, but this has not been the case for more than a decade,’ Pophaim said, adding that any communication still using such language should be treated with suspicion.
The City says most fraudulent messages share common traits. These include poor spelling and grammar, vague details about housing projects, and direct requests for payment.
‘Most fraudulent messages are poorly written, contain numerous spelling and grammatical errors and most importantly, request payment in exchange for housing opportunities,’ Pophaim said. ‘This is a clear indication of a scam.’
The City has reiterated that legitimate housing opportunities are never sold.
‘The City reiterates that City housing opportunities are free and qualifying residents will never be asked to pay for placement on the City’s Housing Needs Register, or for allocation of housing opportunities as well as for any related housing service,’ he stated.
All legitimate communication regarding housing comes directly from City officials through formal and verifiable channels. Residents who are unsure about any message are encouraged to pause and verify the information before responding.
The City advises residents to contact the Human Settlements Call Centre on 021 444 0333, which operates from Monday to Friday between 7:30am and 4:30pm.
Suspected fraud can be reported to the City’s Fraud Hotline on 0800 32 31 30 or via email at [email protected]. General service-related queries can be directed to the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089.
The City has also reminded beneficiaries to ensure their housing registration details remain current.
Residents are encouraged to visit City housing offices or use official channels to update contact information, reducing the risk of missing legitimate communication or falling victim to misinformation.
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Picture: Department of Human Settlements/ Facebook
