News
SASSA Introduces Strict New Biometric Verification Rules to Curb Grant Fraud
In a major move to fight identity theft and systemic fraud, SASSA has rolled out compulsory biometric facial recognition rules for high-risk profiles and electronic banking payment changes.
2026-05-18
Update
The Reason Behind Biometrics
To safeguard billions of Rands in social assistance, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has instituted a strict biometric facial verification process. This decision follows a surge in syndicate-driven grant hijacking and identity theft, particularly targeting the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 grant.
Who Must Complete Biometric Verification
Biometric facial recognition is triggered under specific conditions:
- When a user attempts to change their registered mobile phone number.
- When bank payment details are updated on the SASSA portal.
- For applications flagged by SASSA's internal risk engines (e.g. system audits showing multiple accounts on one device).
Step-by-Step Verification Guide
If your status is flagged, you will receive an SMS containing a secure, personalized verification link. Click this link on a smartphone with a working front camera. Position your face inside the on-screen oval in a well-lit room, and follow the prompts. The verification takes less than 2 minutes and is processed securely in real-time.
Sources
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