what should you do
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday urged New Yorkers who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to take steps to protect themselves from thieves using scam devices known as skimming to steal benefits on people’s EBT cards.
- Upon purchase, consumers should inspect the card reader machine for any cover devices that may be hiding parts of the machine or anything unusual, such as glue marks, damaged or loose parts.
- Anyone who believes their benefits have been stolen should contact the EBT Customer Service Line at 1-888-328-6399 or go to ConnectEBT.com and report it so they can get a new card.
NEW YORK — New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday urged New Yorkers who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to take steps to protect themselves from thieves using security devices. skimming to steal benefits on people’s EBT cards.
“It is inconceivable that thieves are stealing SNAP benefits from some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “I urge all EBT card users to remain vigilant and protect themselves, and I thank Senator Gillibrand and the New York congressional delegation for their efforts to address what has become a national problem.”
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which oversees SNAP in New York State, has developed awareness materials to inform EBT card users of steps they can take to protect themselves and their benefits. A video, “Act fast!“and a brochure,”EBT Skimming protejase“, are available in Spanish with recommendations.
Upon purchase, consumers should inspect the card reader machine for any cover devices that may be hiding parts of the machine or anything unusual, such as glue marks, damaged or loose parts.
If anyone suspects there is something wrong with the machine, they should not use their card, notify the store manager and contact the local department of social services and local police.
In addition, EBT card users must:
- Protect your benefits by protecting your PIN pad when you enter your PIN.
- Change your PIN often and don’t share it. It is best to change your PIN immediately after each transaction.
- Periodically check your EBT account for unauthorized charges.
- If a transaction is declined unexpectedly or a user receives an error code, please contact the EBT Customer Service Help Line to verify the transactions on the account.
PARFOR OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS TO NOT FALL INTO THESE THEFTS, GO HERE.
Across the country, thieves are using card readers covertly placed on card readers in legitimate retail stores to directly copy card and PIN information from EBT users. The scammers can then use the stolen data to create a duplicate version of the card, allowing them to access the compromised account and use the benefits.
Since skimming devices allow legitimate transactions without hindrance, victims often do not know they have been victimized until the next purchase attempt or account balance verification.
Anyone who believes their benefits have been stolen should contact the EBT Customer Service Line at 1-888-328-6399 or go to ConnectEBT.com and report it so they can get a new card. The alleged victims should also contact the local department of social services to report that their benefits have been stolen and file a police report with the local police department.
