More beneficiaries are being forced into changing their SASSA bank details to protect against unauthorised debit orders. Small R30 to R60 deductions for funeral-cover or insurance are small enough that recipients may not notice them for a while, but they’re always adding up.
It’s like ‘death by a thousand cuts,’ says one irate grant beneficiary. A small debit order for a funeral policy they never knowingly signed up has forced a change in SASSA bank details. Agency CEO Temba Matlou has said scammers posing as bogus financial institutions are targeting beneficiaries. But here’s how to fight back …
CHANGE SASSA BANK DETAILS
Firstly, request a three-month bank statement. Look for small, regular deductions you don’t recognise. Note the name, reference and amount. Be especially wary of anything linked to insurance, funeral cover, airtime or electricity vouchers, says the South African Social Security Agency. Next, you’ll have to visit your bank branch with valid ID. Then ask the bank to:
IF YOU ACCOUNT IS COMPROMISED
Ultimately, you should only change your SASSA bank details for future disbursements if you feel your profile has been compromised. This removes access to any nefarious operator. Then open a new one with your bank. And always look for the lowest-cost account available. Remember, tell them you want no third-party debit orders.
From there, you will need to alert the agency to your change in SASSA bank details. Here, sadly, is where the process gets tiresome:
HOW TO REPORT SASSA GRANT FRAUD
But what do you think? Have you had to change your SASSA bank details recently due to potential fraud? How did you find the experience? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …
