EBT Protection & Fraud Control

EBT Safeguarding

To protect yourself from EBT card fraud, never share your PIN with anyone, regularly change your PIN, cover the keypad when entering it, check card readers for signs of tampering, report any suspicious activity immediately, and be wary of phishing scams that ask for your card details via phone or text; if you suspect fraud, contact 1-844-640-6446 right away. 

Key points to remember:

  • Keep your PIN secret: Do not disclose your EBT PIN to anyone, not even store clerks. 
  • Change your PIN often: Regularly update your PIN, ideally before each benefit issuance date. 
  • Check card readers: Before swiping your card, inspect the card reader for any signs of tampering like loose parts, glue marks, or unusual keypad buttons. 
  • Cover the keypad: When entering your PIN, shield the keypad with your hand to prevent others from seeing your PIN. 
  • Beware of scams: Be cautious of phone calls, texts, or emails asking for your EBT card information; legitimate agencies will never request this information this way. 
  • Report suspicious activity: If you notice any unauthorized transactions on your EBT account, contact your state’s EBT customer service immediately.

SNAP EBT Card Lock Feature

To assist Ohioans in securing their SNAP benefits, a new card lock feature became available July 1, 2023 in the ConnectEBT mobile app. The card lock feature allows the cardholder to lock their card when not in use. Cardholder should consider setting their card to a locked status until they are actively making a purchase with the EBT card.   Once the purchase is successful the cardholder can then lock their card again using the ConnectEBT mobile app.

Additionally, ODJFS is working to implement card activity alerts in the ConnectEBT mobile app.  These alerts are planned to be available in the fall of 2023 and will notify the card holder when their card has been used to make a purchase, receive a refund for a return, PIN changes and deposits. ODJFS will share additional information regarding this feature as the implementation date approaches.

SKIMMING: What is happening?

According to the Federal Food and Nutrition Service, Ohio is among a number of states being targeted by criminals stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This is known as skimming. In skimming, criminals use a device placed over a point-of-sale card reader that steals information from payment cards like SNAP EBT and cash assistance cards. This means SNAP or cash assistance benefits could be stolen without you knowing.

If you have fallen victim to EBT skimming, please follow the link to download and print the necessary form to be completed and returned to PA

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