By Mapaballo Borotho
- A new scam is targeting SASSA beneficiaries through unauthorised grant deductions.
- Victims are allegedly tricked into signing documents linked to hidden policies.
- SASSA is urging affected individuals to report and dispute these deductions immediately.
A new scam targeting vulnerable beneficiaries of the South African Social Security Agency in Gauteng has left many unaware that their grant money is being deducted.
Beneficiaries are allegedly being misled into signing documents that result in unauthorised deductions from their social grants, often linked to policies they did not knowingly agree to.
SASSA was made aware of this scam following a viral TikTok video that shows a pensioner claiming she was deceived into signing documents that led to unexpected deductions from her grant.
SASSA has stressed that it does not partner with insurance or funeral companies to enrol beneficiaries into financial products without their full knowledge and consent.
The agency explained that, under Regulation 29 of the Social Assistance Act, only one deduction capped at 10% is allowed for a funeral policy, and only if the beneficiary has given clear and informed consent.
No deductions are permitted on child-related grants.
Spokesperson Lungelo Mkamba urged beneficiaries who suspect they have been affected to report the matter to their nearest SASSA office for investigation.
“They can also dispute deductions by sending an SMS to 34548 with their ID number and the name of the service provider, and are encouraged to contact the company involved to cancel any unauthorised policies,” he said.
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