The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has sent out a serious warning to all who receive social grants. Swindlers are now launching clever new tricks aimed at the people who need help the most. With August 2025 payments starting in only two weeks, SASSA is worried that people will be fooled after the agency’s recent checks of grant data.
The new and most dangerous scheme, called “Ubuntu Life,” is stealing SASSA’s real name and logo to tell grant holders they must pay fees for services that don’t exist. Paseka Letsatsi, SASSA’s National Spokesperson, has clearly stated that the agency never asks for money and has no links to any private business that handles grants.
Scammers Create Different Tricks for Each Grant!
These criminals are now rolling out fake offers that target specific grants. Besides the “Ubuntu Life” scam, they are also spreading lies about “double grant payments” and made-up new rules that would stop some pension payments.
SASSA has flat-out declared these rumors “false and misleading.” The agency tells beneficiaries to “reject such lies with the true contempt they deserve.”
They’ve made it clear that the grant increases they announced in April will happen again in October 2025 and that anything else promised in fake messages on the street, in the apps, or on the SMS waves has not been announced by any official government spokesperson. Ignore it, delete it, block the sender.
These schemes go after the people in our country who depend on the money to buy bread, soap, and electricity the most, and that makes them regurgitating nasty scams that truly deserve contempt.
Starting since May 2025, the verification process has given scammers another dangerous opening. Over 250,000 beneficiaries got an SMS asking them to confirm or update personal info after SASSA, working with registered credit agencies, spotted about 210,000 grant recipients who might be hiding extra income.
Because 150,000 messages never made it—many beneficiaries still haven’t told SASSA that they’ve changed the number—crooks began exploiting the missed calls. They call with fake “verification requests” asking for ID numbers, sometimes demand “processing fees” they promise will speed things up, and the little fees end up costing the beneficiaries another trick.
Remember, actual verification requests will only come in verified SASSA SMS numbers, which you can confirm on the official SASSA contact page. Don’t share, don’t pay, and definitely don’t click on shortcuts.
How to Spot Real SASSA Messages!
Don’t be too quick to click! SASSA CEO Themba Matlou says everyone getting support from SASSA must double-check any message that looks like it came from the agency. Real SASSA texts never ask you to pay a fee, nor do they want your PIN, passwords, or to send you to a sketchy link.
Only the SASSA-tested channels can be trusted: look for the blue tick on the SASSA X account (@OfficialSASSA), the South African Social Security Agency page on Facebook, or the official SASSA site at www.sassa.gov.za.
Also, remember that payment dates for August are the same: Old-Age Grants go out on Tuesday, August 5; Disability Grants on Wednesday, August 6; and Childcare Grants on Thursday, August 7.
What to Do if You See Something Weird and How to Keep Your Info Safe!
SASSA gives you lots of easy ways to tell them if you spot something fishy or if you think you might be getting scammed. You can call the toll-free number at 0800 60 10 11, send a quick message to their WhatsApp at +27 82 046 8553, or drop them an email at GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.
If you prefer to talk in person, visit your nearest SASSA provincial office. Just remember, the sooner you report something strange, the better! To make sure you keep getting your grant without interruptions, check that your personal info is up to date—especially your phone number, email, and bank details. If you use your own bank for your grant, make sure your bank card and account are active.
If you pick up your grant at a payment point, try to go there the day after the money is released. That way you can avoid crowds and watch out for scammers who might be waiting for busy days to strike.