The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has warned social grant beneficiaries about a new scam involving One-Time Pin (OTP) being sent via WhatsApp.
Sassa explained that it does not send OTP codes through WhatsApp and urged recipients of such messages to exercise caution, as these messages are likely fraudulent.
Sassa does NOT send OTP codes for the Covid-19 SRD via Whatsapp. If you receive a message like this, it is likely a scam.
The grant payment agency encouraged beneficiaries to remain vigilant and avoid sharing personal information with unknown sources.
Stay vigilant and don’t share your personal information
Sassa advised grant beneficiaries and members of the public to report suspicious messages to prevent scammers from exploiting grant recipients.
When Are OTPs Used By Sassa
OTPs are normally sent to SRD grant beneficiaries via SMS when they apply for the grant. Scammers may be soliciting OTP numbers to gain unauthorised access to social grant payments meant to support eligible individuals.
How To Apply For The SRD Grant
To begin your September R370 grant application, visit the SRD grant website.
- Start by choosing your citizenship status at the bottom of the webpage. You can select either "South African ID Holder" or "Asylum Seeker/Special Permit Holder."
- Locate the yellow bar that says "Click here to apply online" under the relevant section ("How do I apply for this SRD Grant" or "Asylum Seekers and Special Permit Holders").
- Enter your mobile number and click "Send SMS." Then, enter the one-time pin (OTP) sent by Sassa to your phone for verification.
- Once verified, follow the steps on the website to finish your application.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the R370 grant, applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or special permit holders.
They should not be receiving other government support like Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits or National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursaries. Additionally, their bank account balance should be less than R624.
