EBT card replaced due to scammers - when should I create PIN to avoid getting scammed again?
Just got my replacement CalFresh EBT card today after someone skimmed my old one and stole all my benefits last month ($875 gone instantly!). I'm super paranoid about it happening again since my benefits are supposed to load tomorrow morning. Question: Is it safer to set up my PIN right now or should I wait until right before I go shopping tomorrow? Can scammers somehow hack my account if I create a PIN tonight, or am I actually MORE protected by setting it up ASAP? Totally freaked out about losing another month of food money for my kids. Anyone dealt with this scammer situation recently?
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Haley Stokes
Set up ur PIN right away!!! Never wait. The card isnt even activated till u do that so ur benefits wont load if u dont have a PIN. And make it something random not ur birthday or address. Scammers got me 2x last year bcuz i used same code both times
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Asher Levin
•This is partially incorrect information. Your benefits will load regardless of whether you've set up a PIN yet - the account activation and benefit deposit are separate processes. However, I do agree you should set up your PIN immediately rather than waiting. Creating a secure PIN (not birthdays, sequential numbers, etc.) is your first defense against scammers. Also, consider checking your balance through the official EBT app or phone line rather than at store terminals, which can sometimes have skimming devices attached.
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Serene Snow
omg this happened to me last month too!!! so frustrating. the county worker said they couldnt even replace my stolen benefits cuz of some new rule??? did they replace yours??
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Lia Quinn
•No they didn't replace mine either! Said something about federal regulations not allowing them to replace benefits that were already issued. It totally sucks. My worker basically said to treat my EBT card like a debit card and never let it out of my sight. Still have no idea how they got my info since I was super careful.
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Issac Nightingale
You should definitely create your PIN immediately. Your benefits are at greatest risk during the window between when they're loaded and when you establish security measures. A few important points: 1. Use a PIN that's not associated with any personal information (no birthdays, addresses, last 4 of SSN) 2. Check your balance using the official EBT app or phone line (1-877-328-9677) rather than store terminals 3. Change your PIN regularly (at least every 3 months) 4. Consider using the BenefitsCal app to temporarily lock your card between uses 5. Report any unauthorized transactions within 10 days Unfortunately, as of 2025, federal regulations still don't allow for replacement of stolen EBT benefits in most cases, so prevention is critical.
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Lia Quinn
•Thank you! I didn't know about being able to temporarily lock the card between uses - that's super helpful. Is that new? My worker never mentioned that option when I reported the theft. Going to download the BenefitsCal app right now.
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Romeo Barrett
setup pin now but really depends what county ur in cuz some counties dont have good security and others do better protecting us
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Marina Hendrix
•The PIN security system for EBT cards is actually standardized across all counties in California - it's a federal system, not county-specific. What does vary by county is how quickly they respond to fraud reports and how helpful their workers are in navigating the process after fraud happens. But the actual PIN protection works the same everywhere in CA.
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Justin Trejo
I've been dealing with the CalFresh system for years and had my benefits stolen twice. Let me tell you what I've learned: create your PIN immediately, but that's just the start. These scammers are getting more sophisticated. When I called my county office after getting scammed, I spent FOUR HOURS on hold just to report it! Then they said they couldn't do anything about the stolen benefits. I was about to give up when someone told me about Claimyr.com - it's a service that gets you through to an actual CalFresh worker without the endless hold times. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 I used it to talk to a fraud specialist who gave me all these extra security tips that the regular workers never mentioned. Definitely worth it to actually talk to someone who knows what they're doing instead of waiting on hold forever.
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Alana Willis
•is that service legit? sounds kinda sketchy tbh
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Justin Trejo
•Totally legit. They just handle the calling part - calling continuously until they get through, then they connect you directly to the worker. Saved me hours of frustration. My sister uses it for her Medi-Cal stuff too.
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Marina Hendrix
I work with a homeless outreach program and we deal with this issue constantly. Here's what you need to know: 1. Set your PIN immediately - there's no security advantage to waiting 2. If possible, withdraw benefits in 1-2 large transactions rather than many small ones 3. Never use EBT at gas stations - they have the highest rate of skimming devices 4. Check for loose or unusual card readers before inserting your card 5. Cover the keypad with your other hand when entering your PIN Also, while CalFresh benefits typically can't be replaced when stolen, there's a new pilot program in certain counties that might help. When you report the theft, specifically ask if your county is participating in the "EBT Fraud Victim Replacement Program" that started in early 2025. It's not available everywhere yet, but worth asking about.
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Lia Quinn
•This is really helpful, thank you! I didn't know about the gas station risk - that might actually be where my card got skimmed because I used it at a Food Mart connected to a gas station. And I'll definitely ask about that pilot program when I call tomorrow. Is it only for certain amounts or types of theft?
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Marina Hendrix
•The pilot program has a $500 maximum replacement amount per household annually, and it only applies to benefits stolen through electronic means (skimming, cloning, hacking) - not physical card theft. You'll need to file a police report first before the county will consider replacement. Don't get your hopes up too much though, as only 12 counties are participating so far, with more supposed to join by the end of 2025.
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Serene Snow
MY WORKER TOLD ME TO CHANGE MY PIN EVERYTIME AFTER I USE IT!!!!! seems extreme but might work???
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Issac Nightingale
•While changing your PIN frequently is good practice, changing it after every single use would be excessive and might actually lead to problems. You might forget your constantly changing PIN, or potentially lock yourself out of your account after too many failed attempts. A more practical approach is to change it monthly and use the card lock feature in the BenefitsCal app between uses if you're concerned.
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Lia Quinn
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I went ahead and set up my PIN immediately and made it completely random. Also downloaded the BenefitsCal app and found the card lock feature - that's going to give me so much peace of mind! I'm also going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow to ask about the pilot replacement program, since waiting on hold with two kids at home is basically impossible. Will update if I find out anything useful that might help others in the same situation!
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Haley Stokes
•good luck!! those scammers r the WORST! stole my benefits right b4 thanksgiving last year n county did NOTHING 2 help 😡
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Elijah Jackson
Really sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been through EBT fraud twice, here's my experience: definitely set up your PIN right now - waiting doesn't make you any safer, and you'll want to be able to access your benefits as soon as they load tomorrow. One thing I learned the hard way is to avoid using your card at smaller stores or gas stations if possible - stick to major grocery chains that have better security. Also, always run your card as "debit" rather than "credit" when given the choice, and never let anyone else handle your card or "help" you at the terminal. The card lock feature in the BenefitsCal app is a game changer - I lock mine immediately after every shopping trip and only unlock it right before I shop again. Takes 30 seconds but gives me so much peace of mind. Hope your replacement benefits situation works out better than most people's experiences!
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