What you should know
- Starting Wednesday, February 21, a new EBT lock/unlock tool in the ConnectEBT app will allow card users to easily lock their EBT cards when not in use to protect their benefits from scammers.
- “Low-income New Yorkers who buy food and other essential items for their families should never have to discover at the checkout that their benefits have been stolen by scammers,” said Governor Hochul.
- As of the end of December, more than $20 million in stolen benefits have been repaid, according to the governor’s office.
NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced a new tool for New Yorkers who receive government assistance through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card to protect themselves from criminals who use “spinning” devices to steal benefits.
Starting Wednesday, February 21, a new EBT lock/unlock tool in the ConnectEBT app will allow card users to easily lock their EBT cards when not in use to protect their benefits from scammers.
“Low-income New Yorkers who buy food and other essential items for their families should never have to discover at the checkout that their benefits have been stolen by scammers,” said Governor Hochul. “We will continue to take steps to protect New Yorkers from scam-related theft and ensure EBT cardholders have effective tools to protect their benefits.”
Across New York State and across the country, thieves are using card skimmers, surreptitiously placed on card-reading machines at legitimate retailers, to copy customers’ EBT card and personal identification number information. EBT users. Scammers use stolen card data to drain funds from victims’ EBT accounts.
The new EBT Card Lock/Unlock feature helps prevent theft by allowing EBT cardholders to quickly and easily lock their card through the ConnectEBT app after making a purchase. Blocking the EBT card blocks all purchases, balance inquiries and card transactions.
“The unconscionable practice of diverting EBT card benefits from households deprives individuals and families with children of vital benefits they need to purchase food and other basic needs,” said the acting commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. , Barbara C. Guinn. “We are grateful for Governor Hochul’s support of these determined efforts to raise awareness about benefit theft and provide vulnerable New Yorkers with essential tools to protect themselves from benefit theft. We encourage all EBT cardholders to use the new lock/unlock feature to help prevent your benefits from being stolen.”
The new card lock/unlock feature is the latest step in Governor Hochul’s ongoing work to protect EBT card users from scammers. To raise awareness about skimming, Governor Hochul signed legislation in December requiring stores that accept EBT cards to warn customers about skimming and how they can protect themselves from the practice.
As of the end of December, more than $20 million in stolen benefits have been repaid, according to the governor’s office.
SAFETY TIPS WHEN PURCHASING
When purchasing, consumers should inspect the card reader machine for an overlay device that may hide parts of the machine or anything unusual such as glue marks, damaged or loose parts. If anyone suspects something is wrong with the machine, they should not use their card, notify the store manager, and contact local police.
Additionally, EBT card users must:
- Protect your benefits by protecting the PIN pad when entering your PIN.
- Change your PIN frequently and do not share it. It is best to change the PIN immediately after each transaction.
- Lock your card immediately after use.
- Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges.
- If a transaction is unexpectedly declined or a user receives an error code, please contact the EBT Customer Service helpline to verify the transactions in the account.
2024-02-22 04:40:09
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