The South African government is increasingly relying on banks to verify social grant recipients, a process detailed in a previous report. This article investigates the financial costs associated with these verification services charged by the banks. It examines how much banks are earning from administering social grants and sheds light on potential implications for the sensitive data of grant recipients. The increasing involvement of private banks in social welfare administration raises questions about transparency and potential profiteering. Concerns are growing regarding the security and use of personal information shared during these verification checks. Further scrutiny is needed to balance efficiency with data protection and equitable access to social assistance.