South Africans Warned About New Maternity Scam and Rising Fraud Risks

South Africans Warned About New Maternity Scam and Rising Fraud Risks

The Department of Employment and Labour has issued a stark warning about a new scam targeting individuals applying for maternity benefits. Fraudsters are impersonating department officials to deceive victims into paying for non-existent “vouchers” or “funds.”

How the Scam Works

The scammers use sophisticated tactics to gain trust, including:

• Contacting UIF beneficiaries and their employers, claiming they need additional payments to process benefits.
• Deceiving employers into providing personal details of employees who have applied for benefits.
• Requesting payments through bank transfers or voucher codes, claiming these are required to release funds.

Unfortunately, several victims have already fallen for the scam, with concerns that it could spread to other regions.

Labour Department’s Advice

The Department emphasized that:

• All services related to maternity benefits are free of charge.
• Officials will never request additional payments or personal financial details over the phone.
• Clients should avoid sharing sensitive information with unsolicited callers.

In case of suspicious inquiries, the Department urges individuals to contact their offices directly to verify authenticity.

Other Fraudulent Schemes on the Rise

The maternity scam is part of a broader wave of fraudulent activities in South Africa:

1. Housing Scams
The Department of Human Settlements recently warned about scams involving government-subsidized housing. Fraudsters falsely promise RDP houses for sale at R100,000, targeting vulnerable citizens.

• Legitimate RDP/BNG housing applications can only be processed by provincial departments or municipalities.
• Scammers often use fake social media accounts to attract victims.

2. Black Friday Scams
As the shopping season approaches, consumers are urged to exercise caution during Black Friday sales. Common scams include:

• Fake online stores advertising goods at unrealistically low prices.
• Phishing emails mimicking trusted brands to steal personal and financial information.
• Fraudulent listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.

How to Stay Safe

To avoid falling victim to these schemes, South Africans are advised to:

• Verify credentials: Always confirm the legitimacy of any government representative or business.
• Avoid unsolicited calls: Never share personal details or make payments in response to unverified communications.
• Report scams: Notify the relevant department or local authorities immediately if you suspect fraudulent activity.
• Double-check websites: Look for secure payment options and verify domain names when shopping online.

As fraudsters become increasingly creative, vigilance is essential to avoid becoming a victim. Whether applying for UIF benefits, seeking government housing, or shopping online, South Africans must remain cautious and informed about ongoing scams.