Recently, social grant recipients have noticed deductions on their social grants which they did not consent to. In an effort to address this matter, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has released a statement.
The statement addresses the recent unauthorised deductions from certain beneficiary accounts and mentions how beneficiaries may protect their grants. Sassa encourages their beneficiaries to be proactive and report the matter as soon as possible.
Beneficiaries may lodge a dispute from the comfort of their own homes. There is no need for them to visit any Sassa office to report the matter.
Disputes are lodged through an automated process. Sassa has instructed grant recipients to send an SMS to Q-link on 34548 to dispute the unauthorised deductions.
The following information will need to be included in the SMS:
- Topic: Dispute
- ID number
- Name and surname: (As it appears on the ID).
- FSP Name: (The company they are lodging a dispute against).
- Duration of policy: (How long has the policy been deducting).
- Reason for dispute: I never signed a contract/misrepresentation.
Once the matter has been resolved, Sassa will be in contact with them. At the moment, it is unknown how long it will take for the matter to be settled, so beneficiaries are urged to be patient.
Sassa provides social grants to individuals who are in need of financial assistance. Therefore, it is important that these grants are protected from unauthorised deductions.
Beneficiaries are also reminded to keep their password a secret and not to share it with anyone. This may prevent any fraudulent activity with their accounts.
