Protect Your Benefits: Beware of EBT Card Scams

Now that your card has arrived, it may take a few days for you to receive a separate notice from the Department of Transitional Assistance that has your temporary PIN (Personal Identification Number). If you obtain an EBT card in person at a local office, you do not need to wait for a PIN by mail, you can PIN your EBT card right away.

If you are trying to create a new DTA Connect account, you must speak to a staff member. To finish setting up your account, please call DTA at 1-877-382-2363.

There has been a recent increase in EBT card skimming theft. DTA has posted alerts that households in some areas of the state have had their benefits stolen. MLRI also has information and resources on SNAP benefit theft and replacement here.

A new EBT card scam called “EBT Skimming” is affecting EBT card holders throughout the country. Scammers are using advanced technology to copy your EBT card information from point-of-sale machines, the device that you swipe your EBT card through. These devices are so small and undetectable that most stores are unaware of them, and they’re also hard to find.

Data thieves are then able to use this stolen information to make counterfeit cards and purchase items with your benefits. Their purchases are too small for DTA to flag them for suspicious behavior.

DTA has also become aware of a phishing scam targeting our clients. This scam aims to fraudulently obtain client information by posing as DTA by:

1. texting clients that they need to provide information to keep their benefits, and

2. posing as a DTA website to capture client’s information.

We are reminding clients that DTA will never ask for their EBT card number online. For tips on how to protect your benefits, clients can visit Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT

DTA has said the best way to protect your EBT benefits —  including SNAP, P-EBT, and cash benefits —   is to re-PIN your card every month, after you receive your payment. Updating your PIN will make it more difficult for scammers to steal both SNAP and cash benefits.

You can refer to the graphic on how to reset your EBT PIN, available here in both English and Spanish. The directions are also below.

Learn how to lock and unlock your card using DTA Connect.

HOW TO LOCK AND UNLOCK YOUR EBT CARD ON DTA CONNECT

1. Web: Go to DTAConnect.com and press “Log In.
   Mobile: Open the DTA Connect mobile app and press “Log In.”

2. Enter your e-mail and password, then press "Log In.”

3. Web: Scroll to where you can see your EBT balance, Press “View More.”
   Mobile: Next to where you can see your EBT balance, Press “Benefit Detail.”

4. Web: Next to where you can see your EBT Card Number, press “Lock EBT Card.”
   Mobile: Under where you can see your EBT Card Number, press “Lock EBT Card.”

5. Web: You will see a pop-up that says “Your card has been successfully locked.”
   Mobile: You will see a pop-up that says “Success: Your card has been successfully locked.”

6. To unlock your EBT card, follow the same steps and press “Unlock EBT Card.”

7. Web: You will see a pop-up that says “Your card has been successfully unlocked.”
   Mobile: You will see a pop-up that says “Success: Your card has been successfully unlocked.”

In order to reset your EBT PIN, you must call the EBT Cardholder Customer Service line at 800-997-2555. This is the phone number on the back of your EBT card. This phone number is the only way to re-PIN your card, and DTA suggests you re-PIN a few days before you receive your monthly benefits.

Here is how to re-PIN your EBT card:

1. Call 800-997-2555

2. Select your language

3. Enter the account number on the front of your card

4. Press 2

5. Enter the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). If you don’t have a SSN, enter the last 4 digits of the 99 number given to you by DTA

6. Enter your date of birth in this format: MM/DD/YYYY (two digits for month, two digits for day, four digits for year)

7. Enter your new 4 digit PIN. And re-enter your new PIN to confirm.

1. To make a claim for replacement, visit DTA’s FAQ here. DTA should strive to replace stolen benefits within 5 business days from getting the household’s signature - but if there is a higher than usual number of claims filed it may take more time. Please let us know what you are seeing.

2. Households should change their PIN often! The best way to protect SNAP from skimming theft is by changing the PIN every after purchase. We know this is extremely hard for most people to do - and encourage changing it before each monthly issuance at the least.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH TO THE ASSISTANCE LINE:

MLRI has created this 1 page resource with different ways to try to get help when you can’t get through to a DTA worker. Please share with your networks.