The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as ‘food stamps,’ is a federal nutrition program that provides monthly food benefits to low-income households.
SNAP participants receive their benefits amount every month on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which looks and functions like a debit card. You can use your card in participating stores, as well as participating online stores, to purchase eligible food in the same way you would use a debit card.
EBT Cards and Electronic Theft
EBT cards, like traditional debit cards, can be vulnerable to certain forms of electronic theft, like card skimming. Skimming is a type of electronic theft that occurs when a criminal places a device on a point-of-sale terminal (where shoppers scan their card to make a purchase), and the device allows the criminal to capture the card’s data and PIN information. The criminal then uses that information to clone the card and access the benefits in the card holder’s account.
In many cases, cloned cards are used out-of-state, and SNAP participants may discover that their benefits have been stolen when they go to check out at the store and find that they have insufficient funds, or when they check their account balance.
What to do if your benefits are stolen through card skimming or other forms of electronic theft?
While temporary benefits replacement for stolen SNAP benefits was available due to Congressional legislation, this ended on December 20, 2024, when Congress chose not to extend benefits replacement for SNAP participants who are victims of theft. This change only affects SNAP benefits and does not impact claims for Adult Financial or Colorado Works benefits.
Although benefits replacement for stolen SNAP benefits is no longer available, it is still important to report any theft by calling EBT Customer Service at 1-888-328-2656 to request a replacement card. Learn more here.
The impact of electronic theft on SNAP households can be devastating, and it is unacceptable that the federal government is no longer protecting SNAP households from the devastating consequences of electronic theft. It is crucial to protect SNAP households from this type of theft through both benefits’ replacement and enhanced card security. For more information, see our blog on Hunger Free Colorado’s skimming advocacy here.
Skimming Prevention
Preventing skimming and other forms of electronic theft should not just be SNAP participant’s’ responsibility, as the government has an important role to play in making EBT cards more secure.
There are some steps you can take, however, if you are worried about keeping your EBT card secure against skimming and other forms of electronic theft. For example:
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- You can prevent unwanted purchases on your EBT card by freezing it when you are not using it or blocking out-of-state or online use of your card by logging into the Cardholder Portal
- Protect your PIN! Your PIN is a unique number that keeps your card information safe. To protect the benefits on your EBT card:
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- Consider changing your PIN often, ideally before getting your benefits each month. If your card has been skimmed, your PIN information has likely been captured. Changing your PIN before criminals can use your card information can protect your benefits.
- Choose a secure PIN number that wouldn’t be known to others. Birth years, 1234, 1111, etc. are examples of insecure pins, because they are easy for others to guess.
- Call EBT Customer Service at 1.888.328.2656 (1.800.659.2656 -TTY) or use the Cardholder Portal to change your PIN
- When using your card at checkout, cover your keypad when entering the PIN. Criminals can install small cameras that record you entering your PIN.
- Be careful not to share your PIN with others. Retailers should not ask for it. State or County officials also would never ask for it.
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