Unauthorised deduction nightmare for pensioners

Sassa has stressed that it is not working with insurance companies and has urged clients not to sign documents they don’t understand which can lead to financial implications.

Pensioners in Mamelodi are claiming their social grant money is running short of R208.

Many complain they have followed all the right procedures to cancel unauthorised deductions from their SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) money but that the deductions continue.

One of the beneficiaries, Yvonne Mashiane (68) said the unauthorised deductions continue to be a nightmare, despite using the SMS number Sassa has advised beneficiaries to use to cancel unauthorised deductions.

She said nothing happened after using the SMS number.

“We desperately need help.”

She believed she was scammed because she never gave anyone permission to deduct money from her social grant money account.

Mashiane said she was made aware of these deductions when she was applying for the POP (Poorest of the Poor) programme with the metro, when she was asked to bring her bank statement.

She said she went to the Sassa offices to find out about these deductions, only to be told she has a policy with Sanlam and gave a policy number.

“I went to Sanlam, but I was told they have no records of me, and the policy number I received from Sassa does not exist,” she said.

“R208 might look like a small change, but for me, as a pensioner who is expected to pay for water and electricity bills and buy food and medication, it’s a lot of money.”

Sassa spokesperson Andile Tshona said the Mamelodi office can confirm that it dealt with complaints related to unauthorised deductions from their clients.

He said it has been reported that people are going into the community of Mamelodi under the pretext of working with Sassa and duping clients into signing policy documents by misrepresenting themselves.

“Others promised clients they will get extra money from Sassa when they sign.”

While Sassa has made provision for clients to have their policy deductions made directly from their grants, it warned beneficiaries to be careful when signing documents.

“We are not working with these insurance houses, and clients must not sign documents they don’t understand,” said Tshona.

Pensioner Simon Mabena (69) said, “For the past three months, my social grant money has been R208 short”.

He said these deductions started last year in November.

“I approached Sassa. I was told I have a policy with Sanlam and should contact them. I don’t have a policy with Sanlam.”

Mabena said he approached Sanlam, but they don’t have any records under his name.

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He pleaded with Sassa to stop these unauthorised deductions.

“First, I must pay for water and electricity bills, and I am behind with my payments. Then food, medications, and transport money in case I want to go to the clinic.

“The social grant money is not enough, but Sassa allows scammers to deduct money from the little that we get.”

Tshona said as a government agency, Sassa provides social grants to POP beneficiaries who meet particular qualifying criteria.

“Sassa does not provide funeral policies. Funeral policies are provided by registered and authorised financial service providers (FSPs).”

Tshona said it is prohibited for any FSP to promote its funeral policies using Sassa’s brand.

“This is an illegal practice and should be reported immediately to Sassa for investigation.”

Clients disputing the signing for a funeral policy with an FSP are advised to send an SMS to 34548 to cancel.

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