GEORGE NEWS - Pensioners who normally withdraw their Sassa money through the South African Post Office (Sapo) seem to be latest targets of fraud in George.
The matter was brought to the attention of George Herald by a local old-age home where four of their residents fell victim to the theft of their Sassa payments.
Under lockdown Levels 5 till 2, the elderly were not allowed to go outside or receive any visitors, which meant their Sassa money was not being withdrawn. According to a social worker at the home, many of the residents' families paid their rent and did their grocery shopping during this time, with the result that the Sassa money was not used for months. One such resident was defrauded out of almost R12 000.
George Herald contacted a few other old-age homes to compare. Some of these homes are used as pay points and at others, the residents' money is paid into the account of the home.
This seems to indicate that only beneficiaries who receive money through the Post Office were affected. The social worker said in filing reports on behalf of the residents, it felt like she was given the runaround, because of the red tape.
For each form she had to present her identification and show she has approval to fill in forms on behalf of the residents. In addition, some of the families were sensitive about the issue and blamed the home.
Sassa is fighting fraud
Shivani Wahab, the communications director for Sassa Western Cape, said Sassa has recently been targeted by criminal syndicates and various attempts were made to rid its system of fraud.
"Its anti-fraud strategy has been continuously tested over the years by these criminals. Successful arrests have continuously been made and to cap it all, the justice system always comes to the party, securing significant convictions."
She could not give any definite figures of the beneficiaries in George or the Western Cape who were affected, or how much money was stolen.
Wahab did say that Sassa is working with institutions from the banking industry in the fight against fraud and corruption and all these partnerships should present fraudsters with a mountain to climb if they plan to defraud Sassa in the future.
They ask the public to blow the whistle and report cases of corruption to the Anti-corruption hotline on 0800 43 43 73. "We need to work together even more with the public to fight corruption," she said.
Clients who suspect any fraudulent activity should immediately report the matter to the nearest Sapo branch, where clients will be required to complete an affidavit.
The matter is then escalated to the Anti-fraud Unit where an investigation will have to be conducted and clients will, depending on the outcome of the investigation, be reimbursed for any funds that were fraudulently withdrawn.
SA Post Office
Sapo said several Sassa beneficiaries reported that money has been withdrawn from their accounts after PIN resets have been processed on their accounts. According to post office spokesperson Emma Tshatsinde, they suspected a new modus operandi "where monies seem to be transferred out of the Postbank account and withdrawn from a FNB account." Security and Investigations will investigate further.
He/she said fraud involving Sassa grants is regarded as a national priority by law enforcement agencies.
"Clients and beneficiaries who suspect any wrongdoing, foul play or fraudulent activity are encouraged to call the toll-free line on 0800 53 54 55 or send an e-mail to fraud@postbank.co.za."
POST OFFICE FULL REPLY:
The SA Post Office has been thrilled to be a paymaster of government services and a strategic partner to SASSA regarding the payments of social grants to the right people. The Organisation is responsible for ensuring that public funds are handled in an efficient and effective manner.
It has been brought to our attention that several SASSA beneficiaries have reported incidents to SAPO as well as the South African Police Services, where funds have been withdrawn from their accounts after ‘PIN-resets’ have been processed on their accounts.
Once the suspected fraud is reported, the client is requested to complete an affidavit indicating what has transpired including the amounts, dates, times that the fraudulent activity may have taken place.
The affidavit is accompanied with the copies of the ID and pension card and all other documents necessary for the investigation. Where possible, once the investigations are complete and foul activity is concluded, the client is then refunded.
There was suspicion of a new modus operandi where monies seem to be transferred out of the Postbank account and withdrawn from a FNB account. This has since been forwarded to Security & Investigations who deal with such cases for further investigation.
Some beneficiaries at an Old Age Home in George, have experienced this. Most were on Lockdown and did not collect their grants for some time. However, those that have come forward have received necessary attention and the matter will be closed soon.
Fraud involving SASSA grants is regarded as a national priority by law enforcement agencies that deal with this type of crime since it affects the ‘poorest of the poor’. Anyone, including employees or relatives thereof who engage infraudulent activities as well as various other related offences will feel the full might of the law.
Clients and beneficiaries who suspect any wrong doing, foul play or fraudulent activity are encouraged to call the toll-free line on 0800 53 54 55 or send an e-mail to fraud@postbank.co.za
Beneficiaries are reminded to never share their PIN with anyone!
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