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Welfare recipients urged to watch for tricksters
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (Sunday) urged recipients of welfare assistance, elderly people in particular, to watch out for tricksters.
A spokesman for the department said that no money would be demanded from SWD staff in the process of applying for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) and Social Security Allowance (SSA).
"It has been found that elderly people receiving CSSA and SSA could easily fall prey to tricksters who claimed to be officers of the SWD or volunteers.
"These unruly elements usually gained access into the premises of the elderly victims and then cheated/robbed them of the money," he said.
The spokesman said that the services in processing CSSA and SSA applications were entirely free of charge and any demand for money should be brought to the attention of the SWD or the Police for follow-up investigations.
"We urge members of the public, including CSSA and SSA recipients, to be on guard against tricksters.
"They are advised to check the departmental identity cards of visitors who claimed to be SWD staff," he said.
In case of doubt, members of the public can call the nearest social security field units or the SWD hotline 2343 2255.
To arouse public awareness, posters advising welfare recipients to beware of tricksters have been put up at SWD's 33 social security field units throughout the territory.
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