The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has recently introduced a new biometric identity verification system to enhance the security of social grant payments and mitigate the risk of fraud. This system employs advanced biometric technology to ensure that only authorized individuals can access and modify grant beneficiary details, thus protecting both the agency and vulnerable grant recipients.
Purpose of the Biometric System
The primary goal of the biometric identity verification system is to safeguard against fraudulent activities by ensuring that only legitimate beneficiaries and authorized personnel can access and alter grant information. SASSA believes that this advanced technology will significantly reduce the risk of fraud and improve the overall integrity of the social grant system.
Who Needs to Perform Biometric Identification?
SASSA’s biometric verification process currently targets specific categories of Social Relief of Distress (SRD) clients. These include:
- Clients Wishing to Modify Their Mobile Numbers: If a client wants to change the mobile number initially provided to SASSA, such modifications will only be accepted after completing biometric verification.
- Clients Flagged as Potential Victims or Perpetrators of Identity Theft: Through SASSA’s risk control processes, clients whose records are flagged will be required to undergo biometric identification to confirm the legitimacy of their applications.
How the New SASSA SRD Grant Biometric Identification Verification Works
While the exact steps in the SASSA biometric identification process are confidential for security reasons, SASSA assures clients that detailed instructions will be provided when using the SRD grant system. This ensures that grant beneficiaries can follow the necessary steps to complete their biometric verification seamlessly.
How Does Biometric Identification Reduce Fraud?
Biometric verification, particularly facial recognition, plays a crucial role in reducing fraud. By verifying unique biometric traits, the system ensures that only authorized individuals can access and change beneficiary information. This process guards against unauthorized updates, such as changing a beneficiary’s bank details to redirect grant payments to a different account. In essence, biometric verification ensures that only authorized individuals can access client records, thereby reducing identity theft and fraudulent payments.
What Happens If Clients Do Not Complete the Verification?
SASSA has made it clear that individuals who do not complete the biometric verification process may face suspension of their grant payments. This measure underscores the importance of compliance with the new verification system to maintain uninterrupted access to social grants.
Contact Details
For any inquiries or assistance regarding the biometric verification system, beneficiaries can contact SASSA through the following channels:
- SASSA Toll-Free Number: 0800 60 10 11
- Email: GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za
- Website: www.sassa.gov.za