EBT card skimming protection - how often to change PIN for CalFresh benefits?

OMG i got skimmed too in january!!! these thieves are EVERYWHERE now with calfresh cards. my worker told me that changing ur pin after each transaction is too much & might flag ur account for suspicious activity. BUT u should definitely change it at LEAST once a month right after benefits load!!! and NEVER use the pin pad if it looks weird or loose.

I work with CalFresh recipients at a community org, and skimming is unfortunately becoming more common. Here's what I recommend: 1. Change your PIN monthly after benefits are deposited (not before) 2. Avoid using your EBT card at stand-alone ATMs or gas stations 3. Check your balance weekly through the EBT app or phone line 4. If possible, spend your benefits within the first 2 weeks of receiving them Also, if you were skimmed, make sure you filled out the EBT-2259 form and submitted it within 90 days of discovering the theft. New regulations in 2025 should make it faster to get stolen benefits replaced.

change it whenevr u want just dont do it 2 many times or they might think ur doing somthing weird. i change mine like 2-3 times a month n never had issues wit my calfresh

I've been on CalFresh for 5 years and I got skimmed TWICE in 2024 already! The second time I lost all my benefits ($980) and had to get emergency food from the food bank while waiting for the claim. What helped me was changing my PIN through the EBT website instead of at the ATM - less chance of skimmers that way. Also, I only use my card inside big grocery stores now, never at corner stores or gas stations. And I always check for weird attachments on the card readers.

Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to your county worker faster about your skimming issue? I was in the same boat last year - got skimmed and couldn't reach anyone. Claimyr got me through to a real person at my county office in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days. They can help you connect directly with someone who can expedite your claim and give you specific advice for your situation. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or visit claimyr.com. They basically wait on hold for you and call you when a real person answers.

According to the latest California DSS guidelines (updated Jan 2025), they recommend changing your PIN: • Immediately after receiving a new or replacement EBT card • At least once monthly after benefits are deposited • Any time you suspect your card information may have been compromised • After using your card at a new or unfamiliar location Changing after every transaction is excessive and might trigger security flags. Also, make sure you're using the BenefitsCal app to monitor your account daily - it now sends alerts for unusual activity on your EBT account if you enable notifications.

i think everybodys overthinking this tbh... just dont use sketchy atms and check ur balance often. ive had calfresh 3 years never change my pin except when i first got the card lol never had a problem 🤷‍♀️

Quick update on the skimming replacement process: As of March 2025, California implemented a faster reimbursement process for EBT theft. Now, once you file the EBT-2259 form, you should receive provisional replacement benefits within 10 business days while the investigation continues. You don't have to wait for the full investigation to complete anymore. Make sure to ask specifically about this when you contact your county worker.