A GLEN Anil pensioner was left baffled after his state pension was withdrawn from his account using his Sassa card, which he had in possession.
Bruce Grant said he had gone to a grocery store with his daughter on July 26 to purchase a few items and proceeded to pay with his Sassa card as he always does, however the transaction was declined and the machine read that he had entered the wrong pin.
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“My daughter paid for my purchases and took me to an ATM to see if I could withdraw cash. The machine also said I had entered the incorrect pin but I knew that I had not,” said Grant.
The next day Grant went to the post office and enquired about his Sassa account only to be told by a teller that there was no money left in his account.
“I was stunned. R2300 had been withdrawn from my account the day before. Unfortunately the teller could not tell me where the transaction took place. My card is always in my possession,” he said.
The days after comprised of paper work, a police station visit, visits to the post office and Sassa, and long queues.
“I needed to report the matter and get an investigation underway so I had to make an affidavit at the police station, then go to the post office and give them the documents to fax to the fraud department at Sassa. I then went to the Sassa office to get confirmation of closure of my account so they can unblock my account. The queues snake for meters. Thankfully I have my daughter who can transport me to these places and assist me financially until this mess is sorted out, but what happens to the people who don’t have any help?” he asked.
“It is a long, drawn out process and now I am waiting for a new card as I can’t access my pension. I don’t even know if my account is active or if there is any money it,” he said.
After all the trips and visits, Grant has not received any reference numbers.
“Tracking the progress of the investigation or when I will receive my new Sassa card is going to be difficult,” he said.
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