CalFresh EBT card skimming still happening in 2025? My benefits disappeared overnight

omg yes!! happened to me last month, $620 gone in one day. took me 3 weeks to get it back 😡 call ur county office ASAP

This is STILL happening everywhere and the county does almost nothing to prevent it. I've had my benefits stolen twice in the last 6 months. Here's what you need to do: 1. Call the EBT customer service (877-328-9677) and report the fraud immediately 2. Ask them to freeze your card so no more benefits can be stolen 3. Visit your county office IN PERSON with your ID and ask for an "EBT-2259 Benefit Theft Claim Form" 4. Request emergency replacement benefits while your claim is being processed 5. File a police report (they'll need this for your claim) They're supposed to review your claim within 10 days according to the new regulations, but in reality it takes 2-3 weeks. The good news is that under the new rules they HAVE to replace your stolen benefits if they verify fraud. Good luck!

happened 2 me 2 but only half my benefits gone. county said i had 2 prove i didnt use the card myself which is bs. try calling early in the morning when they open

@OP - Yes, they were supposed to issue new chip cards to everyone by January 2025, but many counties are way behind schedule. You should specifically request the new chip card when you go to the office. In the meantime, here are some tips to protect your current card: - Never use your EBT card at stand-alone ATMs (only use ones inside banks) - Check for card skimmers before swiping (wiggle the card reader) - Change your PIN frequently - Set up balance alerts on the EBT app so you know immediately if money is missing - Keep your card in an RFID blocking wallet

I work with a nonprofit that helps people navigate CalFresh issues, and sadly this is still extremely common. The state has been slow to roll out the chip cards that would prevent this. One option you might consider is Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that helps you get through to an actual county worker much faster. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 In the meantime, call 211 right away and ask about emergency food resources in your area. Many food banks can provide same-day assistance while you wait for your claim to be processed.

This just happened to me and the county was useless until I filed a complaint with the state. Call the CalFresh state office at 916-654-1896 and tell them your county isn't helping with a theft claim. They contacted my county and suddenly my case worker called me back the SAME DAY.

check ur transactions on the app and screenshot EVERYTHING! they tried telling me i made the purchases even tho they were in a different county

I hate to say this, but sometimes it's someone you know who has access to your card or PIN. My roommate was stealing my benefits for 3 months before I figured it out. Just something to consider if the transactions are local.

Benefits advocate here. Governor Newsom signed legislation in late 2024 that requires counties to provide emergency replacement benefits within 3 business days while your skimming claim is being investigated. Make sure to specifically ask for "emergency replacement benefits under AB-1690" when you speak with your county worker. Documentation is critical - bring any evidence showing you couldn't have made those purchases (work schedule, receipts from your actual location, etc.). Also, request the new chip-enabled EBT card immediately. Counties are required to provide them upon request now, even if they haven't rolled them out to everyone yet.

After this happened to me twice, I started transferring my benefits to a separate account as soon as they hit my EBT card. It's an extra step but worth the peace of mind. You can set up a transfer schedule on the EBT app.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! Unfortunately, EBT skimming is still a huge problem. I had my benefits stolen twice last year - it's devastating when you're already struggling to feed your family. Here's what worked for me when the county office phone lines were jammed: 1. Go to your county office first thing in the morning (like 7:30 AM) and wait in line - sometimes it's faster than calling 2. Bring printed screenshots of the fraudulent transactions and your ID 3. Ask specifically for Form EBT-2259 and emergency replacement benefits under AB-1690 4. If they give you the runaround, mention you'll be filing a complaint with the state office Also, while you're waiting for your claim to be processed, check if your area has any food pantries or churches doing emergency food distribution. Many don't require paperwork and can help same-day. Search "[your city] emergency food assistance" or call 211. The new chip cards ARE supposed to prevent this, but my county still hasn't issued them to everyone. Make sure to request one when you file your claim. Hang in there - you will get your benefits back, but I know that doesn't help when your kids are hungry right now. 💙