SASSA has promptly issued a warning to the general public about this recently developed scam victimizing social grant beneficiaries. Through fake messages and calls, the scammers would claim to be giving extra payments or immediate access to special benefits if victims parted with their personal details or money.
Scammers Exploit Fear and Trust
According to SASSA, reports have increased regarding fraudulence by persons purporting to represent the agency. They would then call grant recipients to either confirm his or her ID number, SASSA card details, bank details, and so forth, under the guise of checking eligibility for bonus payouts or new relief funds; in other instances, some victims are asked to pay a fee so that their grants can be fast-tracked.
The agency has further stressed that they never request any confidential information via the telephone or any social media GPS unverified messaging platforms, and all legitimate communication is only done via official channels, whereby no payments are requested to be made to receive processing of grants.
The Public Must Be Alert and Report Suspicious Activity
Beneficiaries are urged to remain vigilant and protect their personal information at all costs. To stay safe, do not respond or give anything to anyone who receives a suspicious call, message, or email claiming to be from SASSA. Rather report such incidents to SASSA or drop by at the nearest office to get clarification.
SASSA has extended a call to all communities to assist with this awareness drive, particularly with those who are old and vulnerable, for they may fall victim to such well-spoken scams.
SASSA Reinforces Commitment to Secure Payments
To confront that rising threat, the agency cooperates with law enforcement agents in order to investigate such scams, defrauding the recipients being supremely concerned. Although such verification processes are being upgraded as a result to outline potential future breaches, the agency assures the public that grant payments currently remain secure.
With economic pressure mounting, the number of social grant recipients continues to rise, and as such, have made these scammers intensify the effort. Hence, SASSA calls upon all South Africans to be vigilant, be aware, and take charge in defending their benefits.