Guard Your Card
The week before Thanksgiving is the busiest time of the year for American grocers, which means more opportunities for scammers. Taking simple steps to protect your EBT card goes a long way in keeping your benefits safe.
Freeze your EBT card
The Your Texas Benefits app allows users to turn EBT cards on and off right from their phones. This tool secures your funds when not in use, closing the window of opportunity for scammers to steal your SNAP benefits. Leave your card frozen until right before your purchase and relock it when your transaction is complete.
Watch out for card skimmers
When the lines behind you pile up, it is tempting to hurry up and swipe. This pressure is what scammers depend on when they install skimming devices on a store's card machine. Skimmers allow thieves to collect your card information and PINs as you use them, which they then sell or use themselves. Installing these devices is quick, and retailers don't always notice scammers tampering with their devices. Take a moment before you swipe and look for common signs of a skimming device.
• Check the reader for loose parts or a different appearance than you are used to.
• Stop using the terminal immediately if your card or the number pad feels out of alignment.
• Compare the card reader to others nearby to see if they look identical. Buttons and stickers are key giveaways.
• Look for hidden cameras facing the card machine that can collect PINs and other information.
Be aware of online shopping scams
Hopping on the internet is a great way to speed up your holiday purchasing. However, this benefit comes with rules designed to protect your SNAP funds. The same purchasing rules apply online as they do in the store. Ready-made food and prohibited items cannot be purchased using SNAP funds online. You will also need to pay for any convenience or delivery fees with your own money using a separate form of payment.
Online EBT payment is not universal for all SNAP retailers. Don't give your account details to any website claiming to process SNAP payments without verifying they are part of the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot program.
Stay vigilant of phishing scams
Scammers will attempt to convince you to reveal your card information, whether it be a phone call, text, email or letter. In the past, scammers have claimed to be from Texas Health and Human Services, asking for SNAP details or pretending to be retailers following up on your order to complete the transaction. Never provide personal information to anyone who contacts you. Always independently find the organization's contact information and initiate contact.
You are in control
Never feel pressured to swipe at an unsafe terminal, complete a transaction or provide your personal information to anyone. The few moments you take to protect your benefits will save time later if you need to replace a card and report stolen benefits.
If you come across any attempts to defraud SNAP in Texas, use the OIG Fraud Reporting Form or call the OIG Fraud Hotline at 1-800-436-6184.