The Department of Employment and Labour cautions clients about an individual who is illegally posing as an employee of the Department and unlawfully charging R200 for assistance with regard to Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims.
According to the Department, in a Facebook post, the individual, “Sharleen Chetty”, falsely claims she is an employee of the Department that helps thousands of clients daily with their UIF claims for a fee of R200.
The individual also uses an email address that is similar to those of the Department’s officials.
The Department wishes to reiterate that assistance with all its services like the UIF and Compensation Fund claims is free.
It is also illegal for any agency or person purporting to act on behalf of an applicant to charge a fee for submitting an application for UIF benefits.
Clients are, therefore, urged not to contact the individual or pay any person for assistance with UIF claims. The matter has been referred to the UIF’s Risk Management, Anti-Corruption and Integrity Management for investigation.