Scam Alert: Protect Your SNAP Benefits From Scammers

Attention SNAP (food stamp) benefit recipients! Did you know that hackers and scammers have been stealing benefits from SNAP cardholders? Investigations show EBT cards are being re-pinned through the cardholder portal and then used to steal benefits from recipients.

Here is how you can protect your benefits (this is important as, unfortunately, states are not authorized to replace stolen benefits)

• Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. You can check your balance and/or replace a lost or stolen EBT card by visiting www.ebtedge.com, using the EBT Edge mobile app or contacting the North Carolina EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328. Only use only the FIS ebtEDGE Mobile app.
• Change the PIN to the EBT card regularly using a new number each time.
• Select a “difficult” PIN (not continuous sequences such as 1234, or repetitive sequences such as 4444). While this may not prevent card skimming, it is a recommended safety practice.
• Check card reading machines in stores to make sure there is nothing suspicious overlayed or attached to the card swiper. Check for the following signs that may indicate that a skimmer is being used on a card reading machine:
  • Blockage of the LED indicator lights, blocking of the illuminated backlit keypad numbers or partially covered stylus/pen trays.
  • Loose faceplate appears ill-fitting or can be easily dislodged from the body of the machine.
  • Miscolored faceplate, texturally mismatched or otherwise appearing different than the body of the card reading machine.

If your benefits have been stolen or you suspect something is off:

• Freeze your EBT card on EBT Edge so that fraudulent purchases cannot be made using your card.
• Call the EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328 to request a new EBT Card at no cost. Unfortunately, states are not authorized by USDA to replace stolen FNS benefits so the new card will not contain funds that were stolen from the previous card. Benefits will not be replaced.
• Block out-of-state and online purchases from your EBT Edge accounts or the mobile app.
• Contact law enforcement to report the stolen benefits. This is not required, but it is encouraged.

Click here for more information.