Cape Town - Postbank has notified Sassa grant beneficiaries that withdrawals of funds at ATMs using Postbank-issued Sassa gold cards have been suspended for December.
This after extensive investigations uncovered a series of network attacks by criminal elements looking to commit systematic ATM card fraud related crimes, Postbank said on Tuesday.
Sassa beneficiaries using the Postbank-issued Sassa gold cards are requested to withdraw their social grant monies at any retail outlets nationwide that provides the cashback functionality which includes Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay and Boxer stores.
The Sassa gold cards can also be used to make purchases at any place that accepts bank card transactions.
“In recent months Postbank has been experiencing a number of technical glitches that disrupted the smooth withdrawal of social assistance benefits.
“Following extensive investigations, we have now uncovered a series of network attacks by criminal elements determined to commit systematic ATM card fraud related crimes on Postbank payments using sophisticated modus operandi which require further investigation,” Postbank said.
“As a mitigating exercise, and in consultation with our partners following the resurgence of these criminal activities at the inception of the December payments, it has become necessary that Postbank suspends Sassa grants withdrawal at ATM for those clients using the PostBank issued Sassa gold cards,” Postbank said.
They said a dedicated team of professionals, assisted by experienced external experts as well as law enforcement agencies, have been assigned to deal with the issue and progress has been made to close down avenues used by these criminals.
“Postbank is aware of the impact that this change in payment channels will have on the social grants beneficiaries and other stakeholders, and we apologise for the inconvenience.
“Social grants beneficiaries are also assured that the Postbank- issued Sassa gold cards are still valid and have not expired. Therefore, beneficiaries should not be misled into changing the cards unless they wish to do so on their own accord.
“Postbank will notify social grants beneficiaries when ATM transactions via the Sassa gold cards are available again.“
Cape Times