What to do if your EBT card is skimmed or hacked

Content

• How EBT skimming and hacking happens and what to expect
• Immediate steps to take to stop more theft
• How to report EBT fraud to your state and local SNAP office
• Replacement SNAP benefits: what may be possible and what to expect
• Protect yourself from repeat EBT skimming and phishing scams
• If you shared personal information: identity theft steps to consider
• If you need food help right now
• FAQ
• References

How EBT skimming and hacking happens and what to expect

When your benefits disappear unexpectedly, it can feel confusing and personal. In most cases, it is not anything you did wrong. Benefit theft is often caused by criminals using one of these methods:

Skimming (and card cloning)
A skimmer is a device criminals attach to a payment terminal or PIN pad to steal card data. Skimmers can be made to look like part of the machine and may be hard to spot. Criminals can also use other tactics, like hidden cameras, to capture your PIN when you type it.

Phishing (texts, calls, or messages that trick you into sharing information)
Some scams try to get your EBT card number and PIN through fake “official” texts or calls. Official agencies and EBT processors do not ask you to share your PIN by text or phone.

What it can look like for you
You may not realize anything happened until you check your balance or try to pay for groceries and your card is declined or nearly empty. That is why quick action matters, even if you are not sure exactly how the theft happened.

Immediate steps to take to stop more theft

If you believe your EBT card was skimmed, hacked, or used for unauthorized purchases, take these steps as soon as you can.

Change your EBT PIN right away

Changing your PIN can help stop additional purchases if the thief has your card number. Use a strong PIN that is not easy to guess. Avoid number patterns like 1111, 1234, or 9876.

If you are helping a loved one, offer to sit with them while they change the PIN, but do not write it on the card or share it outside the household.

Check your EBT account for unauthorized transactions

Look for:

• Purchases you do not recognize
• Transactions in another city or state
• Multiple small transactions you did not make
• A sudden balance drop right after benefits were issued

Write down what you see (date, time, store name or location, and amount). This documentation can help when you report the theft.

Stop using the card and ask about locking or replacing it

Many states and EBT processors offer security options, but they vary widely. Ask whether you can:

• Lock or temporarily disable the card when you are not using it
• Block out-of-state transactions
• Block online transactions

If your state cannot lock the card, you can still ask for a replacement card and a new card number, especially if the card number may have been compromised.

How to report EBT fraud to your state and local SNAP office

Reporting does two important things:

1. It can help stop further theft and create a record of what happened.
2. It is usually required if you want to request a replacement card or ask about replacement SNAP benefits.

Contact the EBT customer service number and your local SNAP office

In many states, there are two separate contacts:

• EBT customer service (often the number on the back of your card) for card replacement, PIN changes, and transaction history
• Your local SNAP office for reporting theft and submitting any required claim forms

When you report, ask for:

• A confirmation or reference number
• The steps you must follow next (forms, deadlines, required documentation)
• Whether your account can be protected with any available security settings

Report suspicious card readers to the store

If you think a specific store terminal may have been tampered with:

• Tell the store manager right away
• Consider shopping elsewhere until you feel safe
• If you are comfortable doing so, ask whether they can inspect the terminal or preserve any surveillance footage

Replacement SNAP benefits: what may be possible and what to expect

This part is stressful because rules are not always simple, and the answer may depend on when the theft happened and what state you live in.

Understand the federal replacement timeline

For a period of time, there was temporary federal authority to replace some stolen SNAP benefits that were taken through skimming, cloning, phishing, and similar electronic theft methods.

What matters now:
SNAP benefits stolen on or after December 21, 2024 are not eligible for replacement using federal funds. States may choose to replace stolen benefits using state funds, but that is a state decision and is not guaranteed.

If the theft happened earlier, you may still need to meet deadlines

Even when replacement is available, states can require that you report theft and submit a claim quickly. Federal guidance has treated reporting within 30 days of discovering the theft as timely, but your state may have its own process and documentation requirements.

Replacement (when available) has also been limited, for example:

• A maximum number of replacement instances per household within a federal fiscal year
• A limit on the amount that can be replaced (often tied to the household’s monthly allotment)

Because policies and deadlines can change, the most reliable next step is to report immediately and ask your SNAP office exactly what your state will do in your situation.

Protect yourself from repeat EBT skimming and phishing scams

After an incident, it is normal to feel uneasy using your card. These steps can reduce the chance it happens again.

Use smart PIN habits

• Choose a PIN that is hard to guess
• Keep your PIN and card number private
• Cover the keypad when entering your PIN
• Change your PIN regularly, including right before your benefits are issued (monthly PIN changes are commonly recommended for EBT protection)

Watch for skimmers before you swipe

Before you use a card reader, take a moment to check:

• Does the card reader look loose, off-center, or wobbly?
• Does the keypad overlay look thicker than usual or misaligned?
• Do parts of the machine look like they were added on top?

If something looks off, do not use that terminal. Report it to the store and use another checkout lane or another store.

Treat unexpected texts and calls as suspicious

A common scam is a message that creates urgency, like:

• “Your benefits are paused. Verify your card now.”
• “We need your PIN to fix your account.”
• “Click this link to keep your SNAP active.”

If someone asks for your PIN or card number by text or phone, assume it is a scam and do not respond.

If you shared personal information: identity theft steps to consider

Sometimes EBT theft is limited to the card number and PIN. Other times, a scammer may have convinced you (or a family member) to share more personal information.

If you shared information like a Social Security number, date of birth, passwords, or banking details, it is reasonable to take identity theft precautions.

Consider reporting identity theft and creating a recovery plan

Federal consumer agencies provide step-by-step identity theft guidance and reporting tools. Reporting can help you create documentation and a checklist for next steps.

Consider protecting your credit

If identity theft is a concern, you can ask about:

• Fraud alerts, which encourage lenders to take extra steps to verify identity before opening new credit
• Credit freezes (security freezes), which restrict access to your credit report to make it harder to open new accounts in your name

Fraud alerts and credit freezes work differently. If you are unsure which is best for you, start with the official guidance and choose the option that matches your situation.

Secure your accounts if you suspect broader compromise

• Change passwords on email and financial accounts
• Use multi-factor authentication where available
• Monitor accounts for unusual activity
• Keep a written record of calls, case numbers, and actions you take

If you need food help right now

If your benefits were stolen, you may need immediate food support while you work through reporting and replacement steps.

Options that may help right away include:

• Calling 211 to find local food resources and community organizations
• Calling the USDA National Hunger Hotline for help finding food pantries, meal sites, and local services
• Contacting local community or faith-based organizations that offer food assistance

If you would like help organizing resources, paperwork, and calls, these Understood Care pages may be useful starting points:

• https://understoodcare.com/care-types/application-help
• https://understoodcare.com/care-types/social-support
• https://understoodcare.com/care-types/education-for-self-advocacy‍

FAQ

• What should I do first if my EBT card is skimmed?
  Change your EBT PIN immediately, check your transaction history for unauthorized purchases, and report the theft to both the EBT customer service number and your local SNAP office.
• How do I report EBT card skimming or EBT fraud?
  Call the EBT customer service number (often on the back of your card) for card replacement and transaction history, and contact your local SNAP office to report the theft and ask about required claim forms and deadlines.
• Can stolen SNAP benefits be replaced in 2025?
  Replacement rules depend on the date of theft and your state’s policy. Federal funding for replacing SNAP benefits stolen on or after December 21, 2024 is not available, though states may choose to replace benefits with state funds. Report the theft right away and ask your SNAP office what your state can do.
• How long do I have to report stolen EBT benefits?
  Many programs treat fast reporting as essential, and federal guidance has used a 30-day window from discovery as a timeliness benchmark for certain replacement processes. Your state may have its own deadlines, so report as soon as you notice missing benefits.
• What are the signs my EBT card was hacked or skimmed?
  Common signs include unauthorized transactions, a sudden balance drop, purchases in a different city or state, or your card being declined even though you expected benefits to be available.
• How can I prevent EBT card skimming at the checkout?
  Inspect the card reader before using it, cover the keypad when entering your PIN, do not share your card number or PIN, and change your PIN regularly (including right before benefits are issued).
• What if I gave my EBT card number or PIN to someone by text or phone?
  Change your PIN immediately and report the incident to your SNAP office. If you shared additional personal information, consider identity theft steps such as reporting and protecting your credit.
• Should I place a credit freeze if my EBT card was hacked?
  A credit freeze does not restore stolen benefits, but it can help prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name if your personal information was compromised. If you shared more than your EBT card details, it is worth considering.

References

• https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/snap/stolen-benefits
• https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer/training/notice/card-skimming
• https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/05/protect-your-snap-benefits-illegal-card-skimmers
• https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/snap/replacement-snap-benefits-consolidated-appropriations-act-2023
• https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/extension-replacement-stolen-benefits
• https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/sunset-stolen-benefits-replacement-plan
• https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IN/PDF/IN12419/IN12419.4.pdf
• https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
• https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/identity-theft/report-identity-theft
• https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts
• https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-do-i-do-if-i-think-i-have-been-a-victim-of-identity-theft-en-31/
• https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft
• https://www.usa.gov/emergency-food-assistance
• https://www.fns.usda.gov/national-hunger-hotline
• https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/identity-theft-victim-resources
• https://understoodcare.com/care-types/application-help
• https://understoodcare.com/care-types/social-support
• https://understoodcare.com/care-types/education-for-self-advocacy‍