Khunou warned beneficiaries to protect their PINs and avoid giving strangers their ID numbers or grant cards even if they claimed to be from Sassa
AS PART of protecting beneficiaries from the festive season rush, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will start its December payment cycle earlier than other months.
According to Sassa Northern Cape spokesperson Inno Khunou, the December 2019 payment of social grants will start on November 28 for beneficiaries who collect their grants at ATMs and supermarkets.
“Beneficiaries who receive their payments in cash at Sassa pay-points will receive their December grants from December 2, 2019 on specific days communicated during their early November grant.”
Khunou added that January 2020 social grants would be available from December 31, 2019 as January 1 is a public holiday.
“The early December payment should not be seen as a bonus or double payment as it is mainly intended for the convenience of beneficiaries. Sassa does not pay a bonus at all and beneficiaries are paid for 12 months only per year.”
Khunou warned beneficiaries to protect their PINs and avoid giving strangers their ID numbers or grant cards even if they claimed to be from Sassa.
“The PIN is a beneficiary’s secret. They should not fall prey to scams distributed through WhatsApp, SMS and/or social media, especially during the festive season.”
The public is further urged to be vigilant around the festive season and double check misleading information sounding too good to be true.
“This is the time when most beneficiaries are targeted through a lot of scams where criminals and fraudsters are circulating with an effort to rob unsuspecting beneficiaries of their money.
“Sassa offices, its toll-free lines and its social media pages are the only sources that will provide correct and accurate information.”
Beneficiaries are advised to call the Sassa Northern Cape toll-free line at 0800 003 077 if they doubt something or want to report anything or verify information.
