SASSA Issues Urgent Warning Over Fake R700 Grant Claims – What You Need to Know

Published on: April 15, 2025

In April 2025, a fake message about a new R700 SASSA grant went viral on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, leading thousands of South Africans to click on fraudulent links. These messages promised a government grant for all citizens, but instead aimed to steal personal and banking information.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has officially confirmed that this grant does not exist and warned the public to avoid these scams.

Here’s everything you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Scam Alert

Key Point	Details
Claim	Fake R700 grant available to all South Africans
Platforms	WhatsApp, Facebook, unverified websites
SASSA’s Statement	No such grant exists
Main Risks	Identity theft, banking fraud
Verified Source	https://srd.sassa.gov.za
Recommended Action	Avoid clicking links, report suspicious messages

How It Works

These scams are designed to exploit financial desperation and spread quickly through social media. Here’s how they typically work:

Claim that “all South Africans qualify for R700”
Redirect users to fake websites that mimic SASSA’s official portal
Ask for ID numbers, banking details, and personal info
Encourage sharing to gain trust and maximize reach
Use fake testimonials and success stories to seem legitimate

Once you enter your info, the scammers may use it for identity fraud, unauthorized banking transactions, or phishing attacks.

SASSA Statement

SASSA has made its stance clear:

“There is no R700 grant being issued. We urge citizens to only rely on information from our official website or toll-free number.”

They advise:

Never click on suspicious links
Check that websites end with .gov.za
Report any scam messages to the right authorities

Psychology

These scams trigger emotional and psychological reactions to get people to act without thinking. Here’s why they’re effective:

Urgency
They say things like “Limited time grant” or “Apply now before it closes.”

Trust
They’re often shared by friends or family, making them seem legit.

Authority
They use the SASSA logo and design to appear official.

Imitation
They create URLs that look like government sites and even build fake comment sections to mimic positive feedback.

Safety

Here are five simple steps to protect yourself:

Always Verify the Source
Only use official platforms:

Website: https://srd.sassa.gov.za
Hotline: 0800 60 10 11

Don’t Share Personal Information
Never provide your ID number, banking info, or passwords to any unverified website or message.

Check the URL
Make sure the link ends with .gov.za, and look for a lock icon (HTTPS) in your browser.

Report and Inform
If you receive a scam message, report it to:

SASSA
SAPS
Also, educate your family, especially elders and those less tech-savvy.

Know What’s Real
Here are the real SASSA grants as of April 2025:

Grant Type	Monthly Amount	Who Qualifies
Older Persons Grant	R2,090	Citizens aged 60+
Child Support Grant	R560	Guardians of children under 18
Disability Grant	R2,090	Individuals with permanent disabilities
SRD Grant	R370	Unemployed adults meeting criteria

What Now

If you’ve already submitted your details to a fake site:

Notify Your Bank Immediately
Ask them to monitor or freeze your account for suspicious activity.

Call SASSA’s Toll-Free Line
Report the incident so they can take note and assist.

Report to SAPS
File a case to help trace the source and prevent further harm.

Change Passwords
Update all passwords linked to your email, banking, and online accounts.

Final Reminder

Fake grant scams are becoming more sophisticated. The best defense is staying informed, cautious, and sharing accurate information. SASSA will never ask you to apply for a grant through social media links or unknown websites.