Labour department warns against social media scammers
The fake website claims that workers who have worked between 1990 and 2020 have the right to get R35 000 from the department.
THE Department of Employment and Labour has reiterated its warning to the public to remain vigilant of a scam that continues unabated on social media, promising a pay out of between R33 000 and R35 000.
Department spokesperson Teboho Thejane said the scammers have re-created a fake Department of Employment and Labour website using the old coat of arms/logo in which they ask members of the public to check if their names appear on the list of those that are entitled to withdraw these funds.
Thejane said the fake website claims that workers who have worked between 1990 and 2020 have the right to get R35 000 from the department.
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“The Department of Employment and Labour has not asked anyone to come forward to receive any of these benefits and will never do so in a manner that it is done through this website. All the benefits from the department are received by those that have worked for them or are entitled to receive them, and are processed at its 125 offices that are spread across the country,” Thejane said.
Thejane advised members of the public to visit the Department of Employment and Labour Provincial Offices, or a nearest Labour Centre to seek information.
To report any suspected criminal acts, members of the public are requested to inform the South African Police Service; report on the department’s fraud hotline number 08600 22 194 or email fraud@labour.gov.za (link sends e-mail) and, or visit the nearest department office.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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