Elderly hit by scammers in Eastern Cape

File picture: David Ritchie

File picture: David Ritchie

Published Feb 17, 2016

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Port Elizabeth - Scammers posing as employees of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) withdrew cash fraudulently from pensioners’ accounts in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape police said on Wednesday.

“Several cases of fraud are under investigation where elderly pensioners are conned and money withdrawn from their accounts. The elderly are vulnerable and can very easily fall prey to con artists,” said spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu.

She said the alleged fraudsters visited pensioners’ homes, produced SASSA identification cards and informed the pensioners that they were doing inspections to confirm whether the card holder was still alive.

“They then ask for the card, identity document and PIN number. The details are recorded on a tablet. The suspects then go online and withdraw cash from the unsuspecting pensioner’s account. Investigations revealed that SASSA is unaware of this and have informed police that no such inspections are carried out by their employees,” Naidu said.

Pensioners were urged not to give out personal details to people visiting their homes, and should instead inform such persons that they would contact the nearest SASSA office instead, she said.

“If they are unsure about the nature of the visit, they are advised to call someone who can interrogate and question the persons visiting. Police believe other people may have fallen victims to this scam but have not reported any cases.”

No arrests have been made.

African News Agency

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