Sassa warns of scam

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has warned grant beneficiaries about people with sinister intentions who are already targeting them this festive season.

Sassa issued a statement on Tuesday 15 November, about text messages that are being sent to beneficiaries urging them to obtain new cards.

It is said that social grant beneficiaries have been inundated with text messages urging them to obtain new cards which are green in colour before 1 January 2017.

The only valid Sassa card has the colours of the South African flag and it will never be replaced by a green card, the agency said.

“The danger of responding to these scams is that beneficiaries could be stripped of their cash or unusual deductions which they never authorised would come off their grants in the near future.

“Beneficiaries should make sure that they do not give their personal details or card details to strangers because it can also create identity theft.

“Once a criminal syndicate has your personal details, they can commit fraud using your name,” read their statement.

Beneficiaries can call Sassa on 0800 60 10 11 with enquiries.

Sassa regional spokesperson Thamsanqa Singeni said such incidents have been reported in Gauteng but Sassa would like to make everybody aware, warning them not to respond to the SMSs.

There have been no reports of the scam in the Eastern Cape.