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Syndicate strikes UIF clients

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:08

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has warned all its clients not to fill in forms from a group calling itself the UIF Administrator of Fund or Unclaimed Fund.

Commissioner Boas Seruwe said the syndicate is circulating forms to businesses and ordinary people, claiming to assist them with recovering of “unclaimed monies” from the UIF.

In the fraudulent forms, the fraudsters promise to recover inflated monthly amounts of R10 000 and more for their “clients” for a period of 12 months.

The organisation is currently in possession of fictitious and fraudulent forms at its head office in Pretoria that look similar to the legitimate, UIF’s UI-7, a form which is provided to employers to declare payment for workers’ contributions to the UIF.

The dubious looking forms have a shabby print and logo without a coat of arms.

Furthermore, to indicate that this group is hell bent on defrauding people out of their hard-earned money, Seruwe said the fraudsters request applicants to enclose payment, with amounts ranging from R149.90 to R171.90 and R194.90.

The difference in the requested amounts depends on how fast the client wants the so-called unclaimed UIF monies to be processed.

The UIF has warned that the fictitious forms also promise clients they will receive large payments only if they deposit a certain amount of money into a fictitious account(s), including using credit cards.

“Our services are free and the UIF does not charge its clients to process claims. The Fund does not pay the so-called huge unclaimed amounts,” Seruwe warned.

The UIF is an entity of the Department of Labour. Its services are provided at the Department’s labour centres whose offices are spread throughout the country.

The UIF’s function is to receive and pay benefits to employees who become unemployed or their beneficiaries, as the case may be, who are entitled to benefits and in so doing alleviate the harmful economic and social effects of unemployment.

The Fund acts as a cushion for unemployed workers while looking for work as a result of retrenchment or dismissal. Therefore, if a worker contributes to the Fund and does not lose his or her job until retirement the Fund will not pay that worker the unclaimed portion of his or her contribution.

It also pays contributors maternity benefits when contributors fall pregnant, illness benefits when he/she is unable able to work due to illness, adoption benefits when a contributor adopts a child under the age of two years and takes time off from work to bond with the child and dependants benefits to the dependants of deceased contributors.

All benefits may be paid for a maximum period of 238 days, except maternity benefits which may be paid to a maximum period of 121 days. The period paid is dependent on the credit days accrued in terms of the period worked as a contributor to the UIF.

“This devious act from the fraudsters is intended to defraud our clients and tarnish the good image of the Fund”.

“We urge our clients not to deal with these unscrupulous characters and if in doubt please contact officials of the Fund who are ready to assist,” he said.

When in doubt people are advised to contact the UIF call centre on (012) 337-1680 for more information or (012) 337-1700. - BuaNews