The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) warns of an emerging scam aimed at Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) beneficiaries. In just four days, 650 EBT cards have been directly compromised, and a staggering 7,000+ cards may be at risk.
Here’s the lowdown:
- Scammers are contacting FNS beneficiaries via calls or texts, prying for personal information and PINs, leading to unauthorized withdrawals.
- To safeguard beneficiaries, all potentially affected cards have been canceled, with replacements in transit (please allow 3-7 business days for delivery).
- A reimbursement process for stolen electronic benefits starts on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Affected users must fill out the “Affidavit For Stolen Benefits” (DSS-8644) and submit it to their county DSS agency to reclaim lost benefits.
Important: Never share your EBT card details or PIN if contacted by email or text. Official agencies like NCDHHS or county DSS will never request such info via these methods.
For a safer EBT experience:
- Regularly monitor your account for suspicious activity at www.ebtedge.com, the EBT Edge app, or call 1-888-622-7328.
- Examine store card machines for any unusual devices.
- Report stolen benefits to the police.
- Lost your card? Get a free replacement via the EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328. (Note: The new card won’t have funds from the old one).
- Set a complex PIN and avoid easy sequences like 1234.
- Suspect foul play? Freeze your EBT card immediately to halt unauthorized purchases.
- Regularly refresh your PIN and restrict out-of-state or online transactions via EBT Edge tools.
NCDHHS is urging all residents to stay vigilant and safeguard your information.
