The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has noted several complaints and enquirers from industry players who received email correspondence from a source purporting to be Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) demanding them to pay outstanding debt in terms of the Estate Agency Affairs Act of 112/76.
The source issues a letter via email demanding immediate payment for the outstanding fees within 10 days of receipt of the letter. This letter displays the EAAB logo,client details and eaab email addresses in an attempt to lure the agent to make a payment. However, the account number is not that of the EAAB/PPRA.
We wish to warn industry that this is a scam and agents shouldn’t pay into that bank account .
“We previously had a similar incident almost 2 years ago and the staff member involved was charged and dismissed. Again this week, I was alerted that this practice has resurfaced. We are in the process of investigating the matter to establish whether or not a staff member is involved in this illegal conduct.” said the PPRA CEO Ms Mamodupi Mohlala.
The PPRA urges stakeholders to be vigilant and encourages them to verify bank account details with the specified bank or contact our call center on 087 285 3222 to ascertain legitimacy .
The PPRA is committed to protecting all stakeholders against unsolicited requests from people impersonating the regulator as a means to comprise the livelihoods of the public. We wish to reiterate that this matter is being attended to and given the necessary attention to ensure it’s resolved swiftly .
End.
Issued by the PPRA.
