EBT card theft! All my CalFresh benefits were stolen overnight - what options do I have?

This is unfortunately becoming more common with EBT theft. You need to report it immediately! Call the EBT customer service again at 1-877-328-9677 to report the stolen benefits and request a new card. They should deactivate your current card. Then you need to file a Benefit Theft Report with your county office ASAP. Under the new 2025 regulations, you can get stolen benefits replaced if you report within 10 days, but you MUST have both the EBT theft report and the county report filed.

OMG this just happened to my sister last month!!!! exact same thing!!! someone somehow cloned her card cuz she still had it in her wallet. she said it took almost 3 WEEKS to get the money back but they did eventually replace it. keep calling!!!!

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. The same thing happened to me in February and it was AWFUL. Call both the EBT fraud line AND your county worker. They told me I had to file a police report too, which I did online. Then I had to fill out an "Affidavit of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Theft" form. Make sure you save all your transaction records from the EBT website showing the fraudulent charges!!!!! I didn't get my money back for 15 days though so also call 211 right away to ask about emergency food assistance in your area.

This is a perfect example of why we need stronger security measures for the EBT system. It's running on ancient technology that hasn't been properly updated in years. These scammers are using card skimmers and the system lacks basic fraud protection that regular credit cards have had for DECADES. You need to be extremely persistent. Call repeatedly, document EVERYTHING, get case numbers for every interaction, and follow up daily. The system is designed to wear you down so you'll give up.

I work with CalFresh recipients often, and unfortunately benefit theft is becoming increasingly common. Here's exactly what you need to do: 1. Report to EBT Customer Service (1-877-328-9677) immediately to cancel the card 2. Request a new card (they can expedite in theft cases) 3. File a police report online or by phone (get a report number) 4. Contact your county office to file a CF 303 - Benefit Theft Report form 5. Provide transaction records showing the unauthorized purchases For your immediate food needs, call 211 to find local food banks. Also ask your county worker about emergency food assistance through the Immediate Need program while your claim is being processed.

When this happened to me last year, I kept getting disconnected from the EBT line too. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person at the county office in like 10 minutes. They have this system where they call and wait on hold for you then connect you when a real person answers. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 My county worker filed the theft report for me over the phone and helped expedite my case since I had kids. Still took about a week to get the benefits back, but at least I got through to start the process.

this is why i always empty my ebt card right when benefits hit... cant steal what aint there lol

Did u check if ur card has any scratches on the black strip thingy?? My cousin had her benefits stolen and turns out someone had put a skimmer on the ATM she used at the store!!! Now she only uses the EBT machines inside the grocery stores never the outside ATMs!!!

UPDATE: Finally got through to EBT fraud department and reported the theft. They're sending me a new card that should arrive in 3-5 days. Also filed a police report online and got a case number. Called my county office first thing this morning and filed the CF 303 form. They said it could take up to 10 business days to process the claim and get my benefits reissued. In the meantime, I called 211 and got referred to two local food banks that can help us get through until the benefits are restored. Thanks everyone for your advice and support during this nightmare!