The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has issued an urgent warning about a viral R700 grant scam targeting vulnerable citizens.
Fraudulent messages, disguised with official SASSA branding, are circulating on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and other platforms, falsely claiming that all South Africans under 65 qualify for a “new R700 grant”. The agency confirms this “fraudulent” grant does NOT exist and urges the public not to share personal information or click suspicious links.
Key Details of the R700 Grant Scam
The fraudulent message includes:
- False Eligibility: Incorrectly states all South Africans under 65 qualify for a R700 payment
- Fake Online Application: A phishing link urges users to “register” for the non-existent grant.
- Exaggerated Reach: Claims over 675,000 people will benefit through the grant.
SASSA has categorically denied the scam, stating: “There is no R700 grant or R700 grant payment. Clients are advised to ignore these false messages, which do NOT come from SASSA.” The agency is collaborating with the Department of Social Development (DSD) to combat the fraud.
Early this month (February 2025), the agency issued warning involving a scam targeting senior citizens who are 75 years and above, and people living with disabilities The scam claimed that they will get an additional R500 allocated payment to them.
How to Spot SASSA Scams
- No Official Announcement: SASSA communicates updates only via verified channels, including the official website: SASSA website, as well the agency’s valid Facebook platform and @OfficialSASSA on X.
- Suspicious Registration Links: SASSA does not require online registrations for grants.
- Unprofessional Language: Scam messages often contain grammatical errors and inconsistent formatting.
- Lack of Verified Sources: Legitimate grants are backed by official documentation.
How to Protect Yourself
SASSA advises:
- Verify Information: Cross-check claims on SASSA’s official platforms.
- Avoid Unknown Links: Never click suspicious links; they steal personal/financial data.
- Report Scams: Contact SASSA’s fraud hotline (0800 60 10 11) or SAPS.
What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
1. Change Passwords: Secure email, banking, and social media accounts.
2. Monitor Bank Accounts: Report unauthorised transactions immediately.
3. Notify Authorities: Contact SASSA, SAPS, or a cybersecurity expert.
Below Are Legitimate Grants SASSA Administers
While the R700 grant is fake, SASSA offers the following 8 valid grants:
- Child Support Grant
- Old Age Pension
- Social Relief of Distress (SRD)
- Disability Grant
- Foster Child Grant
- Care Dependency Grant
- Grant-in-Aid
- War Veterans Grant
All grants follow strict application processes. SASSA distributes over 18 million permanent grants monthly, including Social Relief of Distress (SRD) payments for qualifying unemployed citizens.
Be Vigilant
SASSA warns of increased scam activity during this time of the year. “Beneficiaries must rely on official channels for updates and avoid unverified information,” the agency stressed.
NOW read: Calls For SASSA Gold Cards Deadline Extension
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