With SNAP benefits, you use an EBT card to buy food at the store. But we’re hearing about scammers using illegal skimmers to steal card information, then grabbing your benefits for themselves. Here’s how to spot and avoid these scams.

Scammers sneak illegal card skimmers onto payment terminals in stores, so they can grab data from your card’s magnetic stripe. All without you knowing a thing. Since EBT cards require PINs, scammers find ways to get those codes: they might try to  phish you, using texts or calls to get you to share your PIN, or set up hidden cameras by the card skimmers to record you entering your code.

Once they have your information, the scammers create duplicate cards and drain your benefits. They can even find out how much is stored in your account by calling the state’s benefit hotline. Even worse, you probably won’t know what’s happened until you’re at a register with a cart full of groceries and find your card nearly (or totally) empty. 

Here are some ways to avoid these scams:

• Spot card skimmers. Before you swipe your EBT — or any — card, pay attention to the card reader. Is it loose, off-center, or do parts of it wiggle? Then don’t put your card there. Report it to the store manager and consider shopping elsewhere.
• Change your PIN often.  Change your EBT PIN at least once a month, right before you get your next benefits.
• Watch for  phishing. State agencies and EBT processors will never call or text you to ask for your PIN or card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.
• Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you see any, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases  — and contact your  local SNAP office.

For more information on what to do if your SNAP benefits get stolen, check out the  USDA website.