A Christchurch man has been caught selling a $900 Playstation 5 purchased using a Work and Income payment card at The Warehouse.

Work and Income payment cards are issued to beneficiaries to buy essential items such as food, petrol and clothing.

However, an eagle-eyed woman spotted the Playstation on Facebook Marketplace.

“When I saw this guy’s listing, it really got me angry.  Not only did he post photos of the Playstation, but he was so stupid, he even posted the receipt which clearly said in two places payment made by WINZ payment card.”

The woman phoned The Warehouse in Northlands, where the Playstation was purchased, assuming staff needed training on what could be spent using the WINZ payment cards. 

But the manager told her the store had no control over what could be bought except for gift cards and vouchers.

“They have zero control, hence he was able to purchase the $900 PS5.”

The manager told her a letter used to accompany the payment card identifying what it was to be used for, but that was no longer the case.

“So it seems that if you are on a benefit, you can go to WINZ – get a payment card for hundreds of dollars – go and buy whatever you like no matter what – and then sell it online for cash. Meanwhile, genuine beneficiaries are struggling to feed their children” the woman said.

“When I was younger, I was on the Single Parent Benefit, and I know how incredibly hard it is for genuine people who are struggling to get by to survive, and sometimes even they can’t get payment cards or food grants from WINZ.”

After Chris Lynch Media contacted the Ministry of Social Development, Client Service Support Group General Manager George Van Ooyen said the ministry would investigate.

“We follow up on all complaints about the misuse of payment cards and would look into this situation.”

“Most people are honest and are entitled to the benefit assistance they receive. However, for a small group this isn’t always the case” he said.

Clients were only allowed to use the card for approved and essential items.

The rules are publicly available on the Ministry of Social Development website stating the cards can’t be used for “non-essential electronics, such as a gaming console.

Van Ooyen said funds loaded onto payment cards are generally an advance payment of someone’s benefit. They must pay it back in deductions from their benefit. 

“We will be reaching out to The Warehouse to remind them of our policy” he said.

The Warehouse did not respond to a request for comment in time for this publication. Story will be updated when the company does.