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SASSA has denied allegations that its officials are involved in insurance scams affecting social grant beneficiaries.
The response follows a social media video claiming pensioners had money deducted from their accounts after sharing personal details with individuals who promised vouchers and benefits. As of 4 March 2026, the South African Social Security Agency says it is not connected to these activities.
What happened?
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says it has seen a video circulating on social media alleging that pensioners were approached by people claiming to represent financial service providers.
According to the video, the individuals were promised food vouchers and other benefits and were asked to share personal details. After doing so, money was allegedly deducted from their accounts.
Some allegations also claimed that SASSA officials were involved.
However, SASSA Chief Executive Officer Themba Matlou rejected these claims, stating that the agency’s systems do not allow such practices and that individuals using the agency’s name in these activities are not authorised.
Why it matters to you
Social grant beneficiaries are often targeted by scammers who promise benefits, vouchers, or financial assistance.
SASSA says sharing ID numbers, banking details, or personal information with unknown individuals can lead to unauthorised deductions or fraud.
The agency has urged beneficiaries to protect their personal information and only interact with official SASSA channels.
What you need to know
| Key issue | Official SASSA explanation |
|---|---|
| Are SASSA officials involved in insurance scams? | SASSA says its officials are not involved in such activities. |
| Does SASSA work with insurance companies? | No. The agency says it does not partner with funeral schemes or insurance companies. |
| Can SASSA deduct money from grants? | Only with beneficiary consent through a controlled process, including biometric verification. |
| What caused the recent complaints? | Pensioners reportedly shared personal information with individuals promising benefits. |
| What happened afterwards? | Money was allegedly deducted from their bank accounts. |
What you should do next
If you notice deductions from your grant:
1. Check your bank statement
Look for debit orders from financial services or insurance providers.
2. Dispute the deduction with SASSA
Send an SMS to 34548 with:
- Your ID number
- The financial service provider’s name.
3. Contact your bank
If the deduction appears as a debit order directly from your bank account, report it to your bank immediately.
4. Escalate unresolved complaints
If the issue is not resolved, you can approach the National Financial Ombuds Scheme.
Where to get help or official information
Grant beneficiaries can get assistance through:
- SASSA offices nationwide
- SMS dispute line: 34548
- National Financial Ombuds Scheme: https://nfosa.co.za/how-to-complain/
- SASSA spokesperson: Paseka Letsatsi (official contact)
SASSA says it continues to introduce new measures to strengthen the integrity of the social grant system and protect vulnerable beneficiaries.
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