Grant recipients have again been warned not to divulge their personal or Sassa account details, after reports of a scam artist attempting to coax elderly beneficiaries into giving up their I.D and Sassa card numbers.

The individual, operating under the alias Shamielah Booysen, has allegedly been contacting recipients in the Bridgetown, Silvertown, Parktown and Bonteheuwel areas claiming to be a representative of the South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF). Victims have been asked to provide their details under the promise that they would receive food parcels and blankets from the local relief group. Those who have cooperated have reportedly noticed deductions from their accounts.

Sassa’s regional coordinator, Ebrahim Ryland stressed that the social grant agency had not authorised any service provider to contact any of its clients, and urged recipients not to fall victim to such a scam. Those who received any suspicious calls in this regard were further urged to contact and report the incident to Sassa immediately.

“We haven’t authorised that, whether it be SANZAF or any other service provider. We haven’t authorised any company to accept deductions from pensioner’s Sassa cards,” he stated.

According to him, the only form of deduction sanctioned by Sassa at present was that of funeral policies, with only 10% of the value of the grant permitted.

Ryland said that should any beneficiary be in need of additional assistance, be it in the form of food parcels, clothing or blankets, they need simply contact Sassa’s service offices. He noted the agency did offer a ‘social relief of distress’ grant, which would be provided to those in immediate need of assistance.

“It is a limited fund but we can make something available to people who are in need of that type of funding. They don’t even need to go via the SANZAF,” he said, further urging those in need to either contact them via telephone, or visit their offices directly.

As for those who found themselves victim to any grant related scam, they were urged to report such incidents immediately. The matter would be passed on to Sassa’s fraud and compliance unit.

For those seeking to report any suspected cases of fraud, you may contact the Sassa regional offices at 021 469 0200, or their toll free number at 021 469 0535. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)