SASSA addresses identity theft challenges in 2024

SASSA confronts identity theft, with the Minister of Social Development briefing the media on its latest findings in 2024. According to the South African Social Security Agency’s latest release on its website and social media channels, these are the findings of its latest investigation into social grant identity theft.

Earlier in the year, two university students said they had uncovered widespread identity theft of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. In response, Minister Sisisi Tolashe instigated an urgent 30-day investigation into the system’s vulnerability. Here’s what the independent entity charged with investigating the system discovered …

SASSA TACKLES IDENTITY THEFT

As SASSA tackles identity theft, the third-party investigator found what it terms ‘medium vulnerabilities in SASSA digital systems.’ As a result, “The agency is working to review the systems and improve security to eliminate any weaknesses,” explained the minister.

Minister Tolashe assures the parliamentary portfolio committee that SASSA is committed to creating a safe environment for all SASSA beneficiaries. It reassured residents that it is steadfast in its mission of delivering nearly 10-million R370 SRD grants each month.

KNOW YOUR CLIENT

However, the agency acknowledges that the SRD program has faced ongoing fraud and corruption issues since its inception. That is why it introduced ‘Know your client’ biometric facial-recognition technology. Likewise, the department says it is working closely with banks, government institutions and law enforcement to ensure fraud is caught early. Nevertheless, as great as the new technology sounds, everyday grant recipients who are not tech savvy are struggling with it.

If, for whatever, your SASSA grant application has been denied, you must register a ‘reconsideration request’ with the Department of Social Development (DSD). We remind you this must be done within 30 days of the rejection notice. And you can appeal each and every declined month to avoid the refusal being upheld permanently:

• Click HERE to lodge an official SASSA appeal.
• Follow the prompts and enter your ID number.
• Type in your phone number.
• A one-time PIN will be sent to your registered phone number.
• Enter that PIN and select the month for appeal.
• Select a reason to appeal the judgment.
• Note that the appeal process can take up to three months to be processed.

UPCOMING SOCIAL GRANT DATES

• Older Persons Grants: Tuesday 3 December 2024.
• Disability Grants: Wednesday 4 December 2024.
• Children’s Grants: Thursday 5 December 2024.
• Social Relief of Distress in December: TBC.