CalFresh EBT card fraud wiped out my entire balance - how to protect and get benefits back?

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, EBT card skimming has become extremely common in California. You absolutely need to file that fraud claim right away, but also contact your county office directly about emergency replacement benefits. Here's what to do: 1. File the fraud claim with the EBT customer service as they said 2. Call your county CalFresh office and explain you have zero food benefits due to theft and request expedited replacement benefits 3. Ask them to note in your case that you've already filed the fraud claim 4. Get a replacement EBT card with a new number immediately To protect yourself in the future: check your balance frequently, transfer benefits to a separate account if possible (some counties now allow this), and never use your EBT card at ATMs or questionable stores. Some people only transfer small amounts to their card at a time if their county allows it.

the same thing happened 2 me last month!!! they stole $390 and I still haven't got it back. been waiting 6 weeks already. My worker keeps saying they're "working on it" but my kids r hungry NOW. so frustrating!!!

This is becoming a crisis throughout California. The EBT skimming technology is getting more sophisticated while our cards still use the old magnetic stripe technology from the 1980s. I've been dealing with CalFresh clients for years, and here's what actually works: 1. Contact your State Representative's office - they can often expedite fraud claims that would otherwise take months 2. Request a hardship exemption for immediate benefit replacement (not all counties do this, but they should) 3. Document EVERYTHING - the fraud report number, names of everyone you speak with, dates/times The replacement benefits issue depends entirely on your county worker. Some are very helpful, others not so much. Keep pushing - politely but firmly.

GOVERNMENT DOESNT CARE!!! Been saying this 4 years. They could fix this in a DAY if they wanted to. Bank cards got chips YEARS ago but our benifits still using OLD TECH cuz who cares about poor people?? smh

If you're having trouble getting through to your county worker about this (which is common with these fraud cases), I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I used it last month when my benefits were stolen and couldn't get past the automated system. It helped me skip the phone queue and got me to a live person who processed my emergency replacement request that same day. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Most important thing is getting to an actual person with authority to help, not just the EBT customer service which can only take the report but can't issue emergency benefits.

Have you checked BenefitsCal to see if there's any notes on your account about the fraud claim? Sometimes they update the status there before they call you back. Also make sure to request a new card with a new number immediately - don't keep using the same card number even if you have the physical card.

I hat to say it but after this happened to me TWICE last year i jsut started withdrawing all my benefits as cash at the atm on the day they come in!! i know we're not supposed to but its the only way i could stop the hackers from stealing it. CalFersh doesn't care or tey would have fixed the system by now

Update: I just checked, and California actually passed legislation (AB 1633) in 2023 that required the state to develop a plan for implementing chip-enabled EBT cards, but the rollout has been delayed multiple times. They're now saying the new secure cards should be distributed starting in mid-2025, but that doesn't help people dealing with fraud right now. In the meantime, here's what I tell my clients to do to minimize risk: 1. Check your EBT balance DAILY through the app or phone 2. Report any unauthorized transactions immediately 3. Consider making larger food purchases right when benefits are deposited 4. Only use your card at major grocery stores, not small shops or ATMs where skimmers are common 5. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN It's not perfect, but it can reduce your risk while we wait for better technology.

anybody else notice how the rich ppl banks got chip cards like 8yrs ago but somehow its "too hard" to protect our benfits?? Makes me so mad!! They said identity theft is a "high priority" but we still waiting YEARS for basic protection??

I'm still tracking your case - any updates? Were you able to reach your county worker or get emergency benefits issued? The fraud investigation will still take time, but you should be able to get at least partial replacement benefits while waiting.