Community members warned about spurious pension fund administrators
ALEXANDRA – Hlophe has appealed to members of the public to report fraudulent administrators to the law enforcement agencies and local leaders for investigation.
The chairperson of non-profit organisation Former Government Employees South Africa (Fogesa), Kiya Hlophe has warned former workers not to fall prey to bogus pension fund administrators.
Fogesawas formed 10 years ago by former government employees to help retired civil servants and families of the deceased employees apply for their pension funds and other retirement-related benefits. In 2015 the organisation decided to broaden its scope and included workers across all sectors of employment after it received requests from former employees from the private sector.
Addressing members of the organisation at the first consultative meeting of the year held in Yarona Building, Hlophe warned about fraudulent administrators who walk around promising to help beneficiaries get their money. He said these bogus administrators demand R1 500 administration fee upfront and promise applicants big payouts in a short period. “We want to warn you about the mushrooming of the bogus pension fund administrators who go around promising former workers heaven and the earth, opening offices all over the country. If you claim your money, you don’t have to pay an administration fee.
“We have received a number of complaints from our members all over the country which have been proven to be true. These fake agents tell people to pay an administration fee of R1 500 upfront. We want to warn you, don’t fall prey to such, if you want to claim come to us and will help you for free,” Hlophe said.
Hlophe appealed to members of the public to report such administrators to law enforcement agencies and local leaders for criminal investigations to be conducted.
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