A Cape Town woman says she might have been scammed out of thousands of rands, had she not hung up a fraudulent call allegedly from Telkom. Rashiedah Petersen said she received a call at approximately 12:40 on Thursday afternoon from a woman claiming to be calling from the telecommunications company.

Petersen said the conversation lasted about 18- 20 min in which the woman on the phone enquired about some personal information regarding her phone bill.

Petersen became suspicious and circumspectly answered all questions until she was asked for her credit card details.

“She said for the first time Telkom is giving all customers who have paid their accounts up to date a discount,” claimed Petersen.

Having worked in accounts, she realised that that call seemed a bit suspicious. Petersen kept the conversation going despite feeling uneasy, until the women asked for the last 12 numbers of her credit card and later for the first 10 digits of the card.

Petersen then proceeded to cut the call and immediately called Telkom to verify the woman as an employee, as she suspected a scam.

VOC News contacted Telkom media relations officer, Pynee Chetty, who made it clear that they would never call any customers for information of this nature.

“We don’t offer discounts for [Telkom] accounts paid up in full,” he confirmed.

Chetty explained that the company has two ways in which they offer services: a prepaid system and a billing system, when a statement will be sent to the customer.

He recommends that anyone who owns a credit card be cautious at all times when using it to pay anything online or via the telephone.

“This happens with all big well known businesses, where scammers and opportunists will try to pursue money from unsuspecting people,” he said.

Petersen advises the community to be wary and particularly cautious of scams, especially when pertinent personal information is being solicited. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)