SASSA card is stolen – how to get it back

Key takeaways

• A lost card can be replaced easily at a little cost
• You must notify the SASSA officials as soon as you lose your card to avoid fraud
• SASSA will not be responsible for any fraud done in your account if you lose your card
• You must use all safety precautions to make sure that you don’t lose your card in any manner
• Never share your card or PIN with other people

What is a SASSA card?

When you apply for a social grant and are deemed successful, you will be given an electronic card linked to your SASSA account. This card can be used to access your account at your convenience, just like what you do with your bank card.

More often than not, many people in South Africa found themselves without their SASSA cards. This had been mainly to theft, misplacing or anything that may cause you to lose your card. Loing a card has been a big problem for many years, but now your problem is solved thanks to this beautiful and helpful article. Here we will detail the process you need to follow to get a new card fast and without losing any money to thieves.

The SASSA card can be issued to every South African who qualifies for a Social welfare grant. This involves all categories of Social grants as listed below:

• Older person’s grant (old age pension)
• Child support grant.
• Care dependency grant.
• Grant in aid (if you live on a social grant but need someone to take care of you)
• War veteran’s grant.
• Foster child grant.
• Disability grant.

Uses of a SASSA card

The SASSA card is meant to provide you with the convenience you need. It can be used like any normal bank card, given that it is linked with Grindrod Bank. With a SASSA card, you can buy food or groceries in supermarkets or swipe anywhere where there is a machine. You can also use it at an ATM if you want to withdraw cash from your account. The SASSA card can also be used where VISA cards and Master cards are accepted, which means you may use them outside the country. In short, the SASSA card is like any local card if you have ever used one.

What to do when your SASSA card is stolen/lost

First, whenever you are sure that your electronic SASSA card is, you must notify the SASSA officials as quickly as possible. This is mainly to make sure that your money is safe. These days many hackers and card cloners may steal your card and use it without having your card pin. Hence notifying the officials as fast as possible makes them freeze the card such that no one can use it without your consent.

After notifying the officials, and they have control of the situation, notify the police such that you get a police report. The police report may be required by the SASSA officials when they give you a new card replacement.

If you can not visit the SASSA offices to tell them your story physically, you may call them on their phone number so that they block the card immediately.

What do you need to get a new card?

Getting a new card is an easy process that is way shorter than getting a card for the first time through the application process. When you are getting a card replacement, the officials would only need to be sure that you are the account’s rightful owner. You will also have to pay a small amount for card replacement. Below is a list of things required when replacing a stolen or lost SASSA card.

• Bring your national identification (ID) card with you for verification by the officials that the account belongs to you. If you also lost the ID, you may need a temporary ID from the Registrar’s office.
• An Affidavit or police report that confirms the loss of the SASSA card

After providing this information, you will be given a new card after paying a fee of R15 – R30. You will need to set a new pin for the card; the old card won’t work even if you find it in the future.

What to do when you suspect that your card or pin has been compromised

In recent years, many people lost a large amount of money after their cards have been tampered with (card cloning). If you suspect any activity with your SASSA account card, you must notify the officials as fast as possible.

Call the SASSA officials at their toll number, 0800 600 160, such that they freeze or block your account for any activity. This block will be lifted once you come forward with proof that you are the account holder.

After reaching through the cell phone, you will need to visit the SASSA office with the below documents.

• Identity Documents (ID)
• An affidavit that provides your personal information. This affidavit also serves as confirmation that you have acted in good faith throughout the query. This means that you are not involved in any trickery or fraud activity to withdraw money from your account unlawfully.
• Proof of residence
• Your SASSA card
• Proof of Personal Bank details

With these documents, the officials will re-activate your SASSA accounts and SASSA card

Can l replace my lost card at Post Office?

The straight answer is NO. You can not replace a lost SASSA card at Post Office, but you can replace your old SASSA card and get a new SASSA Gold card at any Post Office branch. You will need to bring your national  ID card for identification. The Post Office also plays a huge role in forwarding grants to beneficiaries and providing them with account statements. You can also withdraw cash at SAPO branches and many things like PIN resets and any other enquiry. However, it is important to note that the transactions you may want to do through SAPO may come at a cost.