The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has in a statement warned members of the public to be vigilant of fraudsters.
As the festive season approaches, fraudsters have increased their unscrupulous methods of tricking unsuspecting South Africans to part with their hard earned money. One of these methods, which is currently on the rise, is to fraudulently advertise jobs, falsely claiming they are at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
Unsuspecting job seekers are prompted to send their applications to a website bearing the name of the department but has slight difference from the official site.
Once the application is received by the fraudsters, applicants are requested to deposit money for a purported verification fee. Applicants are requested to make the deposit via cell-phone generated money transfer known as E-Wallets and at supermarkets like Spar, Shoprite, Pick ‘n Pay, etc.
After the money is deposited, fraudsters disappear with the money never to be seen and heard from again. This leaves the potential job seekers broke and their sensitive personal information at the hands of fraudsters who could further use the information to commit more fraud.
“The department will never ask for payment for any jobs advertised. DPWI only advertises jobs through the DPSA circular and on the official DPWI website www.publicworks.gov.za,” the department said.
The website, application links and the email addresses always end with gov.za and never with .org as advertised in the latest fraudulent advert.
“We urge all job seekers to always verify all advertised vacancies by going to the official websites as highlighted above. Job seekers are also advised to visit DPWI offices to verify any vacancies advertised.
“The current vacancy scam that has been doing the rounds, is for 85 Data Capturing Clerks. The DPWI has not advertised this and warns the public NOT to click on the link and send their sensitive information,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
