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Pensioners in Lenasia South are being urged to remain vigilant following reports of an alleged scam targeting senior citizens with offers of grocery assistance and food parcels, with some residents later discovering deductions from their accounts for policies they say they did not knowingly sign up for.
According to the Daxina Senior Citizens Group, a number of young women have allegedly been approaching elderly residents in the area, offering to assist them with food parcels or groceries. The group said the individuals requested personal information, including names, contact numbers and identity numbers. Some senior citizens later discovered that their details had allegedly been used to open policies.
The group said the first reports emerged after people visited its offices on July 15, claiming they could organise food parcels for senior citizens. Residents were reportedly asked to complete forms and provide personal details, although not everyone who was approached completed the forms or understood what the information would ultimately be used for.
“People came to our offices on the 15th of July and said they could organise food parcels for senior citizens. They wanted to fill out forms and asked for names, contact details and identity numbers. Some people did not complete the forms because they were not aware that their details could be used for policies,” said the Daxina Senior Citizens Group.
The group said the situation became apparent during the first week of August, when between 12 and 20 senior citizens reportedly noticed that R200 had been deducted from their accounts. The pensioners allegedly had no knowledge that they had been registered for policies, raising concerns that their personal information may have been used without their informed consent.
The group claims that a similar incident occurred again in September, with senior citizens once again reportedly being targeted. It has also raised concerns that the individuals involved may be presenting themselves under the names of legitimate financial services companies, including Old Mutual Blue, while allegedly signing pensioners up for policies without their full understanding. One member of the senior citizens group said she had personally been affected by the alleged scam but managed to have the policy cancelled.
The group is now warning elderly residents not to provide their identity numbers, personal details or photographs to strangers offering groceries, food parcels, financial assistance or other benefits without first verifying who they represent.
“These young people are walking around specifically targeting pensioners. Senior citizens must be alert and should not allow anyone to take their details or photograph them without knowing exactly why the information is being requested. If anyone approaches them, they must verify the organisation and the purpose of the forms before providing any information,” said the Daxina Senior Citizens Group.
The alleged individuals were reportedly seen in Starling Street, prompting the group to urge residents to alert elderly family members, neighbours and friends about the warning.
Community members are also encouraged to verify any offer of financial assistance or food parcels directly with the organisation involved and to carefully check their bank or SASSA statements for unexpected deductions.
Globe Post approached SASSA for comment on the reported deductions, whether similar complaints had been received and what steps beneficiaries should take if they discover an unauthorised deduction. At the time of publication, SASSA had not yet responded to the request for comment.
Senior citizens who discover an unfamiliar deduction are encouraged to report the matter to their bank or relevant financial service provider as soon as possible and request clarification about the policy or service linked to the deduction.
Residents should also keep copies of any documents they signed and report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
