CalFresh EBT card suddenly showing 'canceled' status but money was deposited - possible fraud?

This actually happened to me in February. Don't panic! There are a few possibilities here: 1. The EBT system might be having technical issues (this happens sometimes) 2. Your card might have been flagged for suspicious activity (since you mentioned using it at two different locations in 24 hours) 3. Your card might be expired or near expiration 4. It could potentially be fraud, but that's less common First, call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card (not the county office). They can tell you exactly why the card is showing as canceled and can issue a replacement if needed. If it is fraud, they can transfer the balance to a new card. Don't wait because if someone is trying to access your benefits, the freeze won't last forever.

the same thing happen to me!!!! i was at walmart and it said canceled and i had just got my benifits that morning!!!! i had to call the ebt people and they said my card was comprimised and someone in flordia was trying to use it!!! they had to send me a new card with a new pin and everything so CALL THE EBT NUMBER ASAP!!!

This is becoming more common with EBT cards unfortunately. There's been an increase in skimming devices placed on card readers that steal your information. If your card was compromised, call the EBT customer service immediately (866-328-9677). They can: 1. Confirm if the card was canceled due to suspected fraud 2. Issue a replacement card (takes 3-5 business days) 3. Restore any stolen benefits After you get this resolved, I recommend checking your EBT account regularly and changing your PIN periodically. Also, try to use your card at major grocery stores rather than small shops or gas stations where skimmers are more common.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now actually. Been on hold with the EBT customer service for over 40 minutes trying to get this sorted out. The fraud department has to verify some things before they can reactivate my card or send a new one. It's so frustrating because my kids are home for spring break and I need those groceries today, not in 5 days when a new card might arrive! 😠

anybody else notise theres been ALOT more of these scams lately?? my neighbor got her whole months benefits stolen last month and the county said they cant replace them!!! this is getting ridiculous they need to make these cards more secure!!!!

@OP - any updates? Were you able to get through to EBT customer service? I hope they were able to protect your benefits.

For everyone in this thread - there are some important steps to protect your EBT benefits: 1. Check your EBT account regularly (at least weekly) 2. Change your PIN every 3 months 3. Never share your PIN or card info with anyone 4. Be careful about which card readers you use (avoid gas stations and standalone ATMs) 5. Sign up for EBT text alerts to be notified of all transactions 6. Consider freezing your card through the app when not in use Also, CalFresh recipients are entitled to benefit replacement if benefits are stolen due to fraud. You must report it within 10 days and file a police report. Request form CF 303 from your county office to apply for replacement benefits.

I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved quickly! This is exactly why I always recommend people freeze their EBT cards immediately if they see anything suspicious. It's scary how common this is becoming. For anyone else reading this thread, another tip is to cover your PIN when entering it at card readers - scammers sometimes use tiny cameras to record PIN entries along with the card skimming devices. Also, if a card reader looks loose, has tape around it, or seems different from usual, don't use it and report it to the store manager. Thanks for updating us @Ava Thompson - your experience will definitely help other people know what to do if this happens to them!

This thread is so helpful! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month, I had no idea EBT fraud was this common. I've been pretty careless about where I use my card - mostly just swiping it wherever was convenient. After reading all these stories, I'm definitely going to: 1. Set up those text alerts ASAP 2. Start using the freeze/unfreeze feature when I'm not actively shopping 3. Stick to major grocery stores instead of smaller shops 4. Check my balance way more frequently @Ava Thompson I'm so glad you caught this early and didn't lose any benefits! Your quick thinking to freeze the card probably saved you from having to go through the whole replacement process. Does anyone know if there are specific grocery chains that are considered "safer" for EBT transactions? I usually shop at smaller ethnic markets in my neighborhood because the prices are better, but now I'm wondering if I should switch to places like Safeway or Kroger for EBT purchases.

This is such an important thread - thank you all for sharing your experiences! As someone who works in fraud prevention, I want to add a few more protective measures that can help: 1. **Enable transaction limits** - You can set daily spending limits through the EBT app, which can help minimize losses if your card is compromised 2. **Use contactless payments when available** - Many stores now accept contactless EBT payments which are more secure than swiping 3. **Avoid using your EBT card at ATMs** - These are common targets for skimming devices 4. **Trust your instincts** - If something feels off about a card reader or the transaction process, don't use it @Ava Thompson I'm so relieved you caught this quickly! Your story is a perfect example of why it's crucial to monitor accounts regularly and act fast when something seems wrong. The freeze feature really is a lifesaver. For anyone who does become a victim of EBT fraud, document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your account, save transaction records, and keep all communication with customer service. This documentation will be essential for the benefit replacement process.

As a newcomer to CalFresh, this whole discussion has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly a bit scary! I had no idea EBT fraud was so common. I just got approved for benefits last week and have been using my card pretty carelessly - mostly at small corner stores and gas stations because they're convenient. After reading everyone's experiences here, I'm realizing I need to completely change my approach. @Ava Thompson - I'm so glad you caught this early and didn't lose any benefits! Your quick thinking to freeze the card probably saved you hundreds of dollars. @Paolo Romano - Thank you for that comprehensive list of protection tips! I had no idea about most of these features. I'm going to set up text alerts and start using the freeze/unfreeze function right away. Can someone clarify - when you freeze your EBT card through the app, can you unfreeze it instantly when you're ready to shop? Or is there a delay? I'm thinking this could be a great way to keep the card protected when I'm not actively using it, but I want to make sure I won't get stuck unable to buy groceries if I need to shop quickly. Also, for those who mentioned chip readers being safer - does that mean I should avoid stores that only have the old swipe-style readers entirely? There are a few smaller markets in my neighborhood with great prices, but now I'm wondering if the savings are worth the risk. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge - this community is amazing!

I'm really glad I found this thread! I'm pretty new to receiving CalFresh benefits (just got my first card about 3 weeks ago) and honestly had no idea that EBT fraud was such a big issue. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both terrifying and incredibly helpful. @Ava Thompson - Thank goodness you acted so quickly with the freeze! That could have saved you from losing everything. I can't imagine how stressful that must have been. After reading all these stories, I realize I've been way too careless with my EBT card. I've been using it at random gas stations and small shops without thinking twice about it. I'm definitely going to: 1. Set up those text alerts immediately 2. Start using the freeze/unfreeze feature between shopping trips 3. Be way more careful about inspecting card readers before using them 4. Stick to major grocery stores for my big shopping trips One question - has anyone noticed if certain times of day are safer for EBT transactions? Like, are scammers more likely to place skimmers during overnight hours when there's less staff around to notice? I usually do my grocery shopping late at night because the stores are less crowded, but now I'm wondering if I should switch to daytime shopping for security reasons. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips. This community is such a valuable resource for people like me who are still learning how to navigate the CalFresh system safely!

As someone who recently went through a similar scare with my EBT card, I can't stress enough how important it is to act fast like you did @Ava Thompson! I'm so relieved you were able to freeze your card before any benefits were stolen. For anyone new to CalFresh reading this thread - please don't let these stories scare you away from using your benefits, but definitely take the security precautions seriously. Here are a few additional tips I've learned: 1. **Save the EBT customer service number in your phone** - Don't wait until there's an emergency to look it up 2. **Take a photo of your card (front only, never the back with security code)** - This makes it easier to reference your card number when calling customer service 3. **Keep receipts for a few days after shopping** - If there are any discrepancies, you'll have proof of legitimate transactions The rise in EBT fraud is really concerning, but this community sharing experiences and tips like this is so valuable. Knowledge is power when it comes to protecting our benefits! @Ava Thompson - Thanks for sharing your experience and keeping us updated. Your story will definitely help other people know exactly what to do if this happens to them.