SASSA: Help! My SASSA card was stolen
SASSA is supposed to be safe. Here’s what to do if your social grant card gets stolen, or you lose access to your SASSA account.
If you have access to one of South Africa’s social grants, one of the ways to get your money paid to you is through the official SASSA card. But what happens if your social grant card gets stolen, and how do you get a new card issued to you?
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Here’s what to do if your social grant card gets stolen, or you lose access to your SASSA account.
HOW SOCIAL GRANT CARDS WORK
A social grant card is meant to work like any other bank card.
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A SASSA card can be used to check your balance, or to withdraw funds that have been sent to your account.
The same rules apply to your social grant card. Recipients are advised to treat their grant cards with as much care as any other personal information.
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Government cautions recipients to guard against “scammers and thugs” who might target vulnerable people on the way to draw their grants, like the disabled or elderly.
You should:
- Create a unique PIN,
- Treat it like your bank card,
- Be careful with your card
HOW TO STOP YOUR SASSA CARD
If your social grant card has been lost or stolen, you should stop the card just like any other financial or SIM card. Without this step, someone can still use your card for fraudulent purposes.
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Grant recipients are advised to contact SASSA directly via their switchboard or head office to request a card stop. You may be asked for some of your personal information, and it’s best if you have access to the phone number with which you applied.
HOW TO REPLACE YOUR LOST/STOLEN SASSA CARD
If your card needs to be replaced, you should contact head office or their switchboard at the numbers below. Applications for a replacement SASSA card can also be made at a regional or provincial office, though remember to bring your official documents (such as ID, proof of residence, and relevant phone number).
- Head office: 012 400 2322
- Switchboard: 080 060 1011
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