EBT card theft: CalFresh benefits stolen - urgent help needed!

omg that happened to my sister last month. so scary! she had to call the EBT customer service number on the back of her card to report it stolen. then they send u a new card. not sure if u get the $ back tho...

I'm sorry this happened to you. You need to take several steps immediately: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service number (877-328-9677) right away to report the theft and request a new card 2. Ask them to place a "freeze" on your current card 3. Then call your county CalFresh office to report the theft - they need to know too 4. Request an "EBT Benefit Theft Claim Form" (it might be called something slightly different in your county) 5. Submit the completed form along with a police report if possible Unfortunately, getting stolen benefits replaced isn't guaranteed and can take 2-3 weeks even if approved. The county reviews each case individually.

The EBT card theft is OUT OF CONTROL in California!!! My benefits were stolen TWICE last year and the county made me wait 5 weeks before replacing anything. They treat us like WE did something wrong!! Make sure you keep calling EVERY DAY or they will "lose" your paperwork. The system is BROKEN.

I work with CalFresh recipients regularly, and unfortunately EBT theft has increased dramatically. Here's what you need to know: - CalFresh benefits CAN be replaced after theft, but it's not automatic - Federal law allows replacement of stolen benefits but requires documentation - You must report within 10 days of discovering the theft - Document everything: transaction details, when you last used the card, where you've used it - California has improved their theft response process in 2025, but it still takes time Pro tip: Always check your EBT balance after each use, and never share your PIN with anyone. Consider changing your PIN regularly.

i heard on the news they using skimmers at stores to copy cards now... u gotta be super careful where u swipe. my cousin checks the card reader every time by tugging on it before she puts her card in

If you're having trouble getting through to your county office about this theft (and you probably will), I recommend trying Claimyr. I was in a similar situation last month and spent HOURS trying to reach someone. Claimyr got me through to a real person at the CalFresh office in under 10 minutes. Just go to claimyr.com or check out their demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 - it was seriously worth it for something this urgent. They call the county office for you and connect you directly to a worker.

u might wanna check ur transaction history online on the benefitscal website too... my buddy had his card skimmed and when he checked online he could see exactly when and where they used it. that helped him prove it wasnt him when he filed the claim

btw make sure u change ur pin right away!! even if u report it stolen sometimes the thieves can still use it for a bit until everything gets shut down completely

For your immediate food needs while waiting for this to be resolved, please contact your local food bank. You can find the nearest one by texting your zip code to 898-211. Many food banks have emergency provisions specifically for situations like yours where CalFresh benefits are temporarily unavailable. Also, check if your children's school offers free meal programs that might help in the interim.

Just to follow up - once you get your new card, I strongly recommend enabling account alerts. You can set up text or email notifications for all transactions, low balance alerts, and even deposit notifications. This way you'll know immediately if there's suspicious activity in the future. You can set this up through the EBT cardholder portal or by calling customer service.