Anyone else got their CalFresh EBT funds stolen this month? PIN number connection?

omg same thing happened to me!!!! $765 gone overnight at some store in San Jose (I live in Sacramento). Never even been there!!! I didn't change my pin tho so don't think that's related. EBT hotline is useless tbh

Did you report it? I'm so sorry this happened to you too. I'm trying to figure out what steps we need to take to get the benefits replaced. Have you had any luck with that?

Sorry this happened to you. This is becoming increasingly common with CalFresh benefits. Here's what you need to do immediately:\n\n1. Call the EBT Customer Service (1-877-328-9677) and report the unauthorized transactions. Yes, the wait times are terrible, but this officially starts your claim.\n\n2. File a police report - many counties require this for benefit replacement.\n\n3. Contact your county CalFresh office to report the theft. They need to document this in your case file.\n\n4. Complete and submit the \

Thank you so much for these steps. I didn't know about the EBT Benefit Theft Report form - will look for that right away. Do you know how long replacement typically takes? We literally have no food budget without these benefits.

same thing happened to my neighbor but she didnt change her pin. thieves are getting smarter with those skimmer things. ive been taking pictures of the card reader everytime i use my ebt now just to be safe

If you're struggling to get through to someone on the EBT Customer Service line, I've had success using Claimyr to connect with CalFresh workers. They'll call for you, wait on hold, then connect you when a real person answers. It saved me hours when my benefits were stolen last year. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8\n\nFor your immediate food needs, call 211 to get connected with emergency food assistance while you wait for your benefits to be replaced. Most counties have emergency food programs specifically for situations like this. Good luck!

does that claimyr thing actually work? i tried calling EBT hotline again today and got disconnected AGAIN after 1hr waiting

Yes, it worked for me! I was skeptical too, but they got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. Definitely worth it for emergency situations like benefit theft.

THIS IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE!!!! I work at a community resource center and we're seeing 3-4 people EVERY DAY with stolen benefits. The county is COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED with these claims right now. Most theft is happening from skimmers at stores or from data breaches, NOT from changing your PIN.\n\nPROTECT YOURSELF:\n- ALWAYS check card readers for loose parts/skimmers\n- NEVER use your PIN at sketchy stores\n- CHECK your balance frequently\n- CONSIDER transferring benefits to a bank account as soon as they hit your EBT card (though this doesn't work for SNAP food benefits)\n\nThe replacement process is taking 30-45 days currently. IT'S RIDICULOUS!!!!

30-45 DAYS??? That's insane! How are families supposed to eat? Is there any way to expedite the process when you have children in the household?

Sometimes! Request an expedited replacement if you have children. Bring this up REPEATEDLY when you talk to workers. Also contact your local food banks IMMEDIATELY - many have special emergency boxes for EBT theft victims. If you're really desperate, ask about Emergency CalFresh which is a different program for crisis situations.

I've been helping several clients with this issue recently, and I can clarify a few things:\n\n1. PIN changes themselves don't create vulnerabilities. However, if you changed your PIN at an ATM that had a skimmer, that could be the source of the theft.\n\n2. California has implemented some theft protection measures in 2025, but the process isn't automatic. You must report the theft within 90 days, and benefits can be replaced once every 12 months.\n\n3. The replacement timeframe should be 10 business days after your claim is approved, though as someone mentioned, the high volume is causing delays.\n\n4. For expedited help, specifically mention that you have children and zero food resources when filing your claim. This can trigger emergency replacement protocols.\n\nAlso note that you can now request a

wait we can get chip cards now for ebt?? mine is still the old swipe kind

Yes, California began rolling out chip-enabled EBT cards in late 2024. They're not automatically provided - you need to specifically request one when you contact your county office. They offer significantly better protection against common skimming methods.

I had $923 stolen in December and it took me 6 weeks to get it back. The whole system is broken. I went to my county office in person (waited 4 hours!) and they told me someone in FLORIDA was using my benefits. I've never even been to Florida!\n\nThe problem isn't changing your PIN. These thieves are using sophisticated skimmers and even tiny hidden cameras to capture your PIN when you enter it. Some skimmers are so well made they're almost impossible to detect.\n\nMy caseworker eventually told me they're getting hundreds of these cases every month now. It's basically an epidemic of EBT fraud.\n\nFor immediate help, try your local churches and food pantries. Catholic Charities helped me with emergency food boxes while I waited for my replacement benefits.

Update: I finally got through to someone at the EBT Customer Service after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned here (it actually worked!). They confirmed my benefits were used in a city 200 miles away. The representative filed my claim and said I should receive a packet in the mail within 5 business days that I need to complete and return.\n\nI also contacted my county office through BenefitsCal messaging system to document everything there too. They responded surprisingly fast and added notes to my case.\n\nFor anyone else dealing with this - document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of the fraudulent transactions, note all the times you called, get case numbers and names of representatives you speak with. I'm keeping everything in a folder.\n\nThank you all for your advice and support. I've contacted our local food bank for emergency assistance until this gets resolved.

Great update! One more tip: when you get that packet, return it via certified mail or deliver it in person and get a receipt. Unfortunately, packets get \