Your EBT card helps you access important food and cash benefits, so it’s worth protecting carefully. Scammers have stolen benefits through card skimmers, fake texts, cloned cards, phishing calls, and other tricks.
A few simple habits can help keep your benefits safer. Remember, treat your EBT card like a debit card. Keep it private, protect your PIN, and check your balance often.
Quick Safety Checklist
Before we get into the details, here are the most important things to do:
- Change your PIN before your deposit: Scammers may steal card information and wait until benefits are loaded. Changing your PIN the night before your deposit can help protect your next payment.
- Check the card reader: Before you swipe, look for anything loose, bulky, crooked, sticky, or strange. If the machine looks suspicious, do not use it. It may have a skimmer attached that can steal your card info.
- Use a strong PIN: Avoid easy numbers like 1234, 0000, your birth year, your address, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Cover the keypad: Every time you enter your PIN, cover the keypad with your hand, wallet, purse, or body. This helps protect you from hidden cameras or people watching nearby.
- Never share your PIN: No real SNAP worker, EBT customer service agent, cashier, or government employee should ask for your PIN. If someone asks for it, that is a red flag.
- Ignore suspicious texts and links: Do not click links in texts that say your EBT card is locked, your benefits are ending, or you need to verify your account. Call the number on the back of your card instead.
- Lock your card if you can: Some states let you lock your EBT card when you are not shopping. Some may also let you block out-of-state or online purchases.
- Be careful online: Only use your EBT card on trusted grocery websites and apps. Do not enter your card number on random websites that promise free food, bonus benefits, prizes, or cash. Do not enter it on Google Forms or other applications.
- Do not let anyone keep your card: A store should not hold your EBT card, write down your card number, or ask you to leave your card behind.
If Something Ever Looks Wrong
Act quickly if your card is missing, your balance looks wrong, or you see a transaction you do not recognize.
- Change your PIN immediately. This may stop more benefits from being stolen.
- Call EBT customer service. Use the number on the back of your card. Ask them to cancel the card and send a replacement if needed.
- Contact your local SNAP office. Ask if your state has a stolen-benefit claim process or emergency help available.
- Save proof. Take screenshots or notes showing suspicious transactions, dates, amounts, store locations, texts, emails, or anything else that may help.
- Ask about food help if needed. If your benefits are missing and you need food right away, call 211, contact your local food bank, or ask your SNAP office about emergency resources.
Relief Recap
You do not need to be afraid to use your EBT card, but you should use it carefully. Change your PIN often, cover the keypad, check the machine before you swipe, and watch your balance. Small safety habits can make it harder for scammers to steal your benefits.
