CalFresh EBT card drained at local AMPM this morning - URGENT help needed!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! You need to call the EBT Customer Service number (1-877-328-9677) IMMEDIATELY to report the card stolen. They'll deactivate your card right away to prevent any more unauthorized charges. Then request a new card. Also call your county CalFresh office to report the theft - some counties have emergency replacement processes for stolen benefits. Document everything - transaction details, time, location, that you weren't there. The sooner you report it, the better chance of getting your benefits back.

omg this EXACT thing happened to me last month!! someone stole my entire balance at a liquor store across town. call EBT fraud dept right away and file a police report!! it took me 3 weeks to get my money back but they did eventually replace it. make sure you tell them you NEVER lost possession of your card because that matters for their investigation.

This is unfortunately becoming more common - it's called "skimming" where thieves place devices on card readers that steal your EBT card information. California passed a law (AB 1752) that provides better protection for EBT theft victims, but you must follow these exact steps: 1. Call EBT Customer Service (1-877-328-9677) to report theft and cancel card 2. File a police report with exact transaction details 3. Call your county CalFresh office and ask for "expedited replacement benefits due to theft" 4. Submit a "EBT-2259 Benefit Theft Form" within 10 days 5. Request a new card with chip technology (more secure) The county has 10 days to determine if you qualify for replacement. Make sure to mention that you had physical possession of your card the entire time.

This happens so often now. The county workers are totally swamped with these cases. When my cousin's benefits were stolen, he couldn't get through to anyone for 3 days - kept getting put on hold for hours then disconnected. He finally used Claimyr.com to get through to his worker - it bypasses the phone queues and they actually called him back within an hour. He showed the worker his video demo (https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8) and was able to get emergency replacement benefits approved right away because he reported it fast. Definitely the way to go when it's an urgent situation like this.

THIS HAPPENED TO ME!! The county made me wait 30 days before they would replace ANYTHING!! They don't care if your kids are hungry. The whole system is BROKEN. When I called they said "oh you must have given someone your PIN" which I NEVER DID. I'm still fighting with them 2 months later for half of what was stolen. Start going to food banks now cause you'll need them. St. Mary's and Second Harvest usually have good emergency boxes.

sorry this happened 2 u! make sure u change ur PIN right away even with the new card. my friend works at calfresh and says thieves are using bluetooth skimmers at gas stations all over. they sit nearby and steal card #s + PINs. never use ur EBT at gas stations anymore!! only at grocery stores and even then cover the keypad when u type ur PIN!!

Just checking back - were you able to get through to your county office? Make sure to ask specifically for the "expedited replacement" process. Under California regulations, if you report theft within 4 calendar days, the county must make a determination within 10 days, not 30. Having a police report significantly improves your chances. You can also contact your nearest CalFresh outreach partner (like a community action agency) as they sometimes have emergency food resources while you wait. If you have school-age children, talk to their school about emergency meal programs as well.

dont forget 2 also check ur bank accounts if u have any!! these skimmer things can steal regular debit cards 2. my cousins entire checking account got emptied after using a gas station ATM