EBT Fraud - Scam Alert affecting SNAP and Cash EBT recipients
08/17/12
We just received a copy of the "scam alert" below that was sent to all the local DTA offices yesterday. Please take a moment to read it.
What you can do:
1) Urge your SNAP and cash assistance clients to NEVER respond to any requests for their EBT card numbers, PINs, SSNs or any other personal information about their benefits (except, of course, for direct dealings with DTA or when contacting the EBT customer service for replacement cards or benefit amounts - the official number listed on the back of the EBT card).
2) Ask your clients to let you know if they get these scamming texts. We do NOT know what, if anything USDA or the state is planning to do about this, but please keep track of any clients who report this information in case there is an investigation.
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DATE: August 6, 2012
SUBJECT: EBT Fraud Attempt - Scam Alert
We have been alerted to a scam that is happening in other states and may be happening in Massachusetts. EBT cardholders received text messages on their phones to call a toll free number or their EBT card would be deactivated. When they called the number, it asked for their card number. The cardholders who reported this did not enter their card number, but others may have. The cardholders had a “government cell phone” or a prepaid phone from Wal-Mart.
Please share this information with your staff.
Thank you.