Scamsters steal from poor Gogos

Conmen are stealing pension money from grandmothers and grandfathers by posing as officials from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

The South African Police Service on Wednesday issued a warning to the elderly in the Port Elizabeth area to be wary of people approaching them posing as employees from SASSA.

“Several cases of fraud are currently under investigation whereby elderly pensioners are conned and money withdrawn from their accounts‚” the SAPS said in a statement.

Explaining the modus operandi‚ police said: “It is alleged that people are visiting homes and producing ‘SASSA’ identification cards and inform the pensioners that they are doing inspections to confirm whether the card holder is still alive. They then ask for the card‚ identity document and PIN number. The details are recorded on a tablet and they leave. The suspects then go online and withdraw cash from the unsuspecting pensioner’s account.”

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SASSA is unaware of this and they have informed police that no such inspections are carried out by their employees. Police believe other people may have fallen victims to this scam but have not reported any cases.

Pensioners are warned not to give any details especially their ID numbers to anyone visiting their homes. Instead‚ police said‚ they should inform the visitor that they will personally call at the SASSA office or will make contact themselves with the office.

“If unsure about the nature of the visit‚ always call someone who can interrogate and question the persons visiting. Never be fooled by smooth talking‚ friendly and well attired people. The elderly are vulnerable and can very easily fall prey to con artists.”

- A week ago‚ the Department of Labour cautioned the public about a scam in which fraudsters are using the name of the Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant‚ requesting money to be transferred electronically for “beneficiaries”.

“In an email which is doing the rounds‚ the fraudsters are using the minister’s name and request money transfers for beneficiaries. The department wishes to categorically state that this is nothing more than a scam to fleece and rip off unsuspecting public‚” said the minister’s spokesperson‚ Mokgadi Pela.