Sassa: “SMS is a hoax”
Many were in a panic after the Sassa roll-out of new cards and misleading SMS hoax.
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) notes with concern the increasing number of fake SMSes that are being circulated to beneficiaries.
This after an SMS was doing the rounds, instructing beneficiaries to re-register their social grants alleging that cash paypoints will be fully phased-out by August 2018.
Sassa says the contents of this SMS are misleading and have caused unnecessary confusion and panic among social grant beneficiaries.
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Beneficiaries are urged to ignore this message as it is incorrect.
Sassa says beneficiaries do not have to re-register their grants. They are, however, requested to swap their old Sassa cards for the new Sassa card by the end of September 2018.
This can be done at local Sassa offices, paypoints or selected post offices.
Furthermore, Sassa would like to clarify that cash paypoints will be gradually reduced, not fully phased out as alleged in the SMS.
Beneficiaries can also choose whichever method of payment they are comfortable with.
They can opt for their social grant to be deposited directly into their personal bank account (including Postbank) or they can use their Sassa cards to withdraw at ATMs and merchants.
If a beneficiary chooses to have their grant deposited directly into their personal bank account they are advised to go to the Sassa office where they registered their grant and request for an Annexure C form.
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This form must be completed by their bank of choice and returned to Sassa.
Sassa reiterates that beneficiaries will continue to receive their social grants beyond August 2018.
The agency will further endeavour to ensure that the transition of beneficiaries from cash paypoints to electronic methods of payments happens smoothly and without any hassles.
Beneficiaries are encouraged to contact the Sassa toll-free line on 0800 60 10 11 or visit their nearest Sassa office.
It is said the benefits of the new Sassa cards include three free cash withdrawals at merchants, one free cash withdrawal per month from a post office branch and unlimited free card swipes.
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