The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says it notes with concern that beneficiaries have received a fake SMS from people claiming to be SASSA officials.
These fraudsters claim that there is a Christmas competition which beneficiaries should enter in order to win a prize.
As a condition to enter such a competition, these fraudsters then ask beneficiaries to send their ID numbers, PINS and SASSA card numbers.
The fake SMS reads as follows: "Dear SASSA client, you are selected in our Christmas draw 10 out of 100 clients can win R1 500 that will be in your account the 1st December 2017. Please urgently reply/sms to enter in the draw your ID no, last 4 digits of card no & your pin. Lucky Christmas draw... Sassa Head Office"
This is a scam, says SASSA. Beneficiaries are urged to ignore and delete these SMSes. SASSA officials will never ask for PINs or SASSA card numbers; furthermore the agency does not run any Christmas competitions, it adds.
Beneficiaries are reminded to keep their PINs secret and not to disclose their card and ID numbers at all.
Reacting to the news of this scam, acting SASSA CEO, Pearl Bengu says: "Beneficiaries of social grants need to be extra vigilant during this time of the year, as there are many fraudsters who will target the innocent and vulnerable."
Beneficiaries should call SASSA on 0800601011 whenever they are offered something that sounds too good to be true because SASSA is not in business owing to the fact that its mandate is limited to paying social grants.
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