Beware of scammers targeting maternity benefit applicants, warns Employment and Labour Department

The Department of Employment and Labour is warning the public about a new scam that is targeting individuals who have applied for maternity benefits.

Scammers are impersonating Department officials and contacting both clients and their employers to request payments for supposed “vouchers or funds.”

According to Departmental Spokesperson, Teboho Thejane, scammers are deceiving employers into believing they represent the Department and requesting personal information of employees who have applied for maternity benefits.

The scammers then ask the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) beneficiary to send money through a bank or buy a voucher and send the details, claiming it is necessary to process the benefits.

Unfortunately, some individuals have already fallen victim to this scheme, and there is a concern that the scam could spread.

The Department of Employment and Labour wants to make it clear that they do not issue vouchers or charge clients for their services.

“We want to clarify that services are free of charge, and clients should not share any personal financial information in response to unsolicited calls,” said Thejane.

He also emphasised that department officials do not call clients to request information that has already been provided in the application process.

“We urge all clients and employers to be vigilant,” said Thejane, adding that if applicants receive any suspicious communication, they should contact the Department of Employment and Labour immediately to verify the legitimacy of the inquiries.

So beware of scammers, and remember to be cautious when dealing with requests for payments or personal information related to maternity benefits.