What To Do If Someone Registers for a SASSA Grant Using Your ID?

Has someone used your South African ID to apply for a SASSA grant before you could? This is identity theft and it directly blocks your rightful access to SRD or other grants.

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you report the fraud and reclaim your SASSA grant.

How Can You Reclaim Your SASSA Grant After Identity Theft? (Quick Summary)

Contents

• 1 How Can You Reclaim Your SASSA Grant After Identity Theft? (Quick Summary)
• 2 How to Report the fraud and Reclaim your SASSA Grant? Step by Step
  • 2.1 Step 1: Gather All Relevant Documents and Evidence
  • 2.2 Step 2: Report the Fraud to SASSA Immediately
  • 2.3 Step 3: Open a Case with SAPS (South African Police Service)
  • 2.4 Step 4: Report to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
  • 2.5 Step 5: Inform Your Bank (If Payment Details Were Used)
  • 2.6 Step 6: Register with SAFPS (Southern Africa Fraud Prevention Service)
  • 2.7 Step 7: Follow Up With All Parties Regularly
• 3 Bonus Tip: SASSA’s Biometric Verification Helps
• 4 Stay Alert for Common SASSA Scams
• 5 Final Note: Legal Help Is Optional but Useful
• 6 Conclusion

If someone used your ID to apply for a SASSA grant, report it immediately to SASSA’s fraud hotline (0800 601 011), open a case at SAPS, and notify Home Affairs. Provide your ID, proof of fraud, and request a formal investigation to reclaim your grant.

How to Report the fraud and Reclaim your SASSA Grant? Step by Step

Step 1: Gather All Relevant Documents and Evidence

Start by collecting everything you need to prove your identity and eligibility:

• Your original South African ID document/card
• Proof that you qualify for the grant (e.g., proof of unemployment, medical certificate, income declaration)
• Any messages or rejection notices from SASSA stating that an application is already linked to your ID
• A screenshot or record of your SASSA status showing a previous application you didn’t submit
• Any emails or SMS alerts indicating unauthorized activity

These documents are key to proving that you are the rightful applicant and not the person who submitted the fraudulent request.

Step 2: Report the Fraud to SASSA Immediately

The next step is contacting the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

Do the following:

• Call SASSA’s fraud hotline at 0800 60 10 11 (toll-free)
• Report that someone used your ID to apply for a grant
• Share all your evidence clearly
• Ask for a reference number for your case

Then, visit your nearest SASSA office:

• Bring your ID and all gathered documents
• Request that they open a fraud investigation
• Fill out any forms they give you, such as a fraud affidavit
• Ask for a written confirmation that your report has been received and is under review

This step formally alerts SASSA and begins the process of recovering your grant rights.

Step 3: Open a Case with SAPS (South African Police Service)

You must also report the case to the police as identity theft is a criminal offence.

What to do:

• Go to your nearest SAPS station
• File a report stating your ID was used fraudulently
• Give them all your proof (ID, messages, SASSA rejections)
• Ask for a case number (CAS number) and a certified copy of the police report

This report will help support your case when following up with SASSA, your bank, and other institutions.

Step 4: Report to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA)

If your ID book or smart card was lost, stolen, or used without permission, inform the Department of Home Affairs.

Doing this ensures:

• Your ID status is flagged to avoid further misuse
• You are protected against more fraudulent actions tied to your identity
• You can request a new, secure ID if necessary

Step 5: Inform Your Bank (If Payment Details Were Used)

If the fraudulent grant was paid into a bank account in your name, or if your bank details were involved:

• Contact your bank’s fraud department immediately
• Explain the situation and provide your CAS number
• Ask them to block suspicious transactions
• Request a change of your account or open a new one for secure payments

Banks often work closely with SASSA and other agencies when fraud is reported.

Step 6: Register with SAFPS (Southern Africa Fraud Prevention Service)

The SAFPS offers a Protective Registration service to secure your identity.

Here’s how it helps:

• It alerts companies and banks that your ID has been compromised
• It prevents further fraudulent accounts or grants from being opened in your name
• You can apply online at www.safps.org.za

Registration is free, and it strengthens your defense against repeated identity misuse.

Step 7: Follow Up With All Parties Regularly

After your reports have been submitted, it’s important to track progress.

What to monitor:

• Call SASSA weekly using your reference number to check on the fraud investigation
• Continue checking your SASSA status online or via their call center
• Keep your CAS number and all documents safely filed
• Log all calls, visits, emails, and updates related to the case

Persistence is critical. Identity fraud cases take time but require consistent follow-up.

Bonus Tip: SASSA’s Biometric Verification Helps

SASSA has rolled out biometric face and fingerprint scanning to help stop fraud. If someone misused your ID, they won’t be able to pass these new verifications. Once your issue is resolved, you’ll be able to go through the system securely as the rightful applicant.

Stay Alert for Common SASSA Scams

• SASSA will never ask for your bank PIN, OTP, or login details via WhatsApp, SMS, or calls
• Only use official contact points listed on sassa.gov.za
• Do not respond to links or payment requests from unknown sources

Final Note: Legal Help Is Optional but Useful

If your grant is still blocked or the process stalls, consider legal assistance:

• Contact a consumer rights lawyer or someone experienced with fraud cases
• A lawyer can help escalate your complaint to higher authorities
• Legal advice can also help if the fraud led to financial loss

Conclusion

Finding out your ID was used to apply for a SASSA grant is serious, but not the end. By reporting it to SASSA, SAPS, DHA, and SAFPS, you take the right steps to reclaim your grant.

Act fast, follow the correct process, and keep all your records. You have the right to your grant, don’t let fraud take it away.