With three months left of 2025, we are rapidly implementing our new client and network management system that has been mentioned in previous newsletters. All support tickets are now running through that interface, and the first blocks of client connections are moving across.

Please keep an eye on both SMS and email for your portal and app login details as your service moves over. Please make sure we have your correct email address and cellphone number.

The app is available for both Android and iOS, or log in to the web interface via your web browser.

• You can update your contact details using the app or portal yourself if these change.
• Netcash is handling our online payments going forward.
• For manual payment agreements and once-off invoices, you will have a "pay now" option with a variety of available payment methods including credit card directly from your app or portal page. This will immediately assign your payment to the right account with the right reference - this is important to prevent your account falling into arrears leading to automatic suspension or cancelling of service. Payments received with the wrong reference will no longer be assigned to client accounts.
• If you have a debit order, you will be able to change your payment details yourself. All payments are automatically processed and assigned to your account. We are in the process of transfering all current debit orders to Netcash as you go live.
• You can change your own package or speed automatically if your contract allows it. Packages available to you will be listed on your profile, and if there is a price difference this will be immediately applied with an invoice for payment.
• Your balance, invoices, payments etc are all available online via the app or portal. Payment reminders will be sent to you automatically.

Our office is standing by to assist with queries regarding use of the app and web interface for your service management once you are live.

Tech Talk

This month our guest author is Eben Erasmus.

Anatomy of a pre payment scam.

Or… “I lost some money so you don’t have to”.

On 11 September 2025 a certain “Cass” with phone number 065 820 5900 joined one of the Helderberg WhatsApp sales groups.

He or she then proceeded to list an L shaped patio suite and a top loading washing machine for prices that were much less than one would usually expect these units to be sold for.

I reached out to “Cass” and asked if the unit was still available

And we were off to the races, the scam was in full swing.

By this time, the alarm bells were ringing, but I decided to play along and see what would happen. I asked if they would be willing to deliver to our offices. Just like that, they thought they had me.

What we’re dealing with here is a classic pre payment scam. They want some money up front for some service they have to render. In this case, it was proverbial petrol money.

I paid them from a savings account at Tyme Bank.

They immediately acknowledged receipt, asked for delivery address and probably ran off to the nearest Pick n Pay or Boxer to draw the cash, then off to their dealer to buy their next baggie.

A couple of hours later, I took a second phone and continued playing the game.

Just like that, “Cass” is in Grabouw.

Needless to say, the R200 is gone and the furniture was never delivered.

Although I’ll never see my R200 again, it’s a small price to pay if just one person reads this and learns to spot a scam.

Red flag number 1: The items listed are too cheap. Know the market price of items before you enter into negotiations with a seller.

Red flag number 2: The seller usually has a sop story. In this case they didn’t feed me one, but often “my husband died” or “we moved and I don’t have space for the R50K lounge suite that you can buy for R2K”.

Red flag number 3: They want cash app or EFT up front. This could be for the entire price, or just a portion “for delivery”.

Red flag number 4: They insist on delivering and don’t want you to collect. If they insist on delivering, have them deliver to your nearest police station car park. Just don’t give them “petrol money” before the time. If they come with stories like; “I’m sorry, I can’t deliver without petrol money”, move on. It’s most probably a scam.

In general. If it’s too good to be true, it is.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen in the real world. If it did, we'd all be riding Ducati bikes that we bought for R20K.

Shot of the month

We're often out on site at very odd hours and in very strange places - but this means we get some awesome views. Here's this month's picture perfect shot.

Michelle Bainbridge

Chief Internet Artisan

Cape Connect Internet (Pty) Ltd

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