Police are warning elderly Nelson Mandela Bay residents to be wary of people approaching them posing as employees from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
A case of fraud is currently under investigation whereby an elderly pensioner was conned and money withdrawn from her account.
According to police, 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 and identity document.
The details are recorded on a tablet and they leave.
The suspects then go online and withdraw cash from the unsuspecting pensioner’s account.
“In this case R1000 and later R200 was withdrawn.
“Investigations revealed that SASSA is unaware of this and they have informed police that no such inspections are carried out by their employees,” police spokeswoman Priscilla Naidu said.
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, inform the persons that they (the pensioner) will personally call at the SASSA office or will make contact themselves with the office,” Naidu added.
Any person who suspects that they have been conned in this way is asked to contact Deputy Warrant Officer Van Dyk at SAPS Algoa Park on 041 4091048/45.
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