The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has warned recipients of state grants to be aware of fraudsters pretending to be Sassa officials who trick beneficiaries into changing their cards and getting new ones.
Sassa said all new applicants and reissues for social grants will receive the new Sassa card from this month.
Reissues are for those beneficiaries who have lost their cards, as well as those which were stolen or accidentally damaged.
The new Sassa cards will be issued at Sassa offices, at identified service points or at the post office to those who access grants using electronic or cash payment methods.
Beneficiaries using the old card must not panic, the card will continue working until 31 December, Sassa said.
Sassa will also communicate with them when it is time to change it and would not request personal information of the beneficiary over the phone.