EBT card stolen: P-EBT benefits maxed out at out-of-state Walmart - CalFresh help needed!

omg that happened to my cousin last year!! you need to call the EBT customer service line right away and report it stolen. make sure you tell them you never used the card at all. they can see the transactions weren't you

I'm so sorry this happened to you! You need to take several steps immediately: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service number on the back of your card (1-877-328-9677) and report the unauthorized transactions. They'll deactivate that card. 2. File a police report - this is important for the fraud investigation. 3. Contact the P-EBT specific helpline (833-456-7328) as P-EBT is handled differently than regular CalFresh. 4. Request a replacement card AND benefits through both customer service lines. Unfortunately, EBT fraud is increasingly common. The good news is that since the transactions were out-of-state when you're in California, that's strong evidence of fraud. Make sure to emphasize you never activated or used the card yourself. Document everything - names of representatives you speak with, reference numbers for calls, etc. Benefit replacement can take 7-10 business days in most cases, but sometimes longer with fraud investigations.

This is terrible and happens way too often now with these benefits!!! The same exact thing happened with my daughter's P-EBT card last year. The system is BROKEN! We waited 3 MONTHS for them to investigate and replace the benefits. They make you jump through so many hoops and treat YOU like the criminal. Make sure you document EVERYTHING and keep calling EVERY DAY. The fraud department will need to investigate which takes forever. Good luck dealing with this nightmare system!!!

This is why I always transfer my P-EBT benefits to my regular EBT card as soon as I get them. That way I can better monitor for fraud and it's all in one place. Sorry this happened to you, definitely follow what others said about reporting it right away.

I've been trying to get through to the P-EBT hotline for WEEKS about a similar issue and it's impossible. I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes. You just go to claimyr.com and they call the P-EBT line for you, wait on hold, and then call you when they have a real person on the line. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 I was skeptical at first but it saved me hours of holding and getting disconnected. The rep I spoke with was able to start my fraud claim immediately. Just sharing since you mentioned having trouble getting through.

I work with CalFresh clients and unfortunately, this type of fraud is becoming increasingly common with P-EBT cards. Here's what you need to know: 1. P-EBT and regular CalFresh EBT are different programs with different fraud departments. You need to contact the P-EBT specific hotline (833-456-7328). 2. For out-of-state fraud, they typically expedite the investigation since it's clearly not the cardholder. 3. Make sure to request both a new card AND benefit replacement. They are separate processes. 4. While the investigation is pending, ask if you qualify for expedited CalFresh benefits due to hardship. This might help bridge the gap. 5. The timeline for benefit replacement is usually 15-30 days for P-EBT, though they might issue emergency benefits sooner given your situation. I recommend keeping detailed notes of all your calls and asking for a case number for your fraud claim. If you're having trouble reaching someone, try calling right when they open (usually 8am) or ask your county office if they can help facilitate the contact.

Have you tried checking your transaction history through the EBT app or online portal? This will give you exact times and amounts for the fraudulent transactions, which will help with your report. Also, sometimes Walmart transactions will show the actual store number or location. This information is really important for your fraud claim. Take screenshots of everything before you report the card stolen, as you might lose access to the transaction history after the card is deactivated.

did u activate the card yourself or did someone else do it for u? sometimes they steal them from mailboxes before we even get them 😡

Since you've confirmed the fraudulent transactions, here's what to expect with the P-EBT fraud process: 1. They'll conduct an initial review (2-3 business days) 2. You'll receive a fraud packet to complete (either electronically or by mail) 3. There will be a formal investigation (10-15 business days typically) 4. If approved, benefit replacement usually happens within 3-5 business days after approval For your case specifically, since it's out-of-state fraud with clear evidence, I'd expect them to approve the claim. While waiting, ask if you qualify for emergency food assistance through your local county office. Also, document any financial hardship this is causing (had to borrow money for food, etc.) as this can sometimes help expedite the process. Keep following up every 3-4 days for status updates. If it goes beyond their stated timeframe, ask to speak with a supervisor.