Need to change my CalFresh EBT PIN frequently due to skimming - quickest method?

You've got a few options for changing your EBT PIN quickly: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service number on the back of your card (877-328-9677) and follow the prompts for PIN changes 2. Visit the EBT cardholder website (www.ebt.ca.gov) and change it online 3. Go to your county office and request a PIN change in person The online method is probably fastest if you're comfortable with technology. Just log in with your card number and current PIN, then look for the security settings. The whole process takes about 2 minutes once you're logged in. Smart move changing it regularly with all the skimming happening lately!

i tried changing mine online but kept getting error messages???!!! ended up having to call anyway. the prompts are annoying tho tbh. felt like it took forevrrrr lol

The FASTEST way is definitely using the automated system by phone. Don't bother with trying to speak to a representative - that's when you get stuck in those awful hold queues. Just call the EBT customer service number and immediately select the option for PIN changes. It's designed to be self-service. BTW, I've been changing my PIN every 2 weeks since I heard about the skimming problems in my area. Another tip - when you use your card at stores, ALWAYS check the card reader for anything suspicious before inserting. Some of these skimmers are getting really sophisticated, especially at smaller convenience stores. I only use my EBT at major grocers now as an extra precaution.

I work with CalFresh recipients regularly, and sadly we're seeing more EBT skimming cases lately. Changing your PIN regularly is a great precaution. The automated phone system (877-328-9677) is indeed the fastest method. However, if your benefits do get stolen, changing your PIN won't help recover them - you'll need to report it immediately. For anyone reading this who experiences benefit theft: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service number to report the theft 2. Contact your county CalFresh office and file a formal report 3. File a police report (this helps with the claim process) The 2025 benefit replacement process is better than in previous years, but still requires documentation and can take up to 30 days. Prevention through regular PIN changes is definitely your best protection.

I had my benefits skimmed last year and it was HORRIBLE trying to get through to someone to help me. I kept calling the county office and either got put on eternal hold or disconnected altogether. After 3 days of trying, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it was a game-changer for getting through to an actual person at the CalFresh office. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 For PIN changes, the automated system others mentioned works fine, but if you need to REPORT theft or have other issues, having Claimyr get you through to a real person is worth it. I got my benefits replaced within 2 weeks after filing the report properly with a worker's help.

I set a calendar reminder on my phone for PIN changes every 2 weeks! Makes it a regular habit. Also worth mentioning - NEVER share your PIN with anyone, even family members (unless they're authorized on your case). And be careful about entering your PIN - shield the keypad with your hand when you type it in at stores.

am i the only one who thinks its RIDICULOUS we have to do all this?? why isn't the state doing more to protect our benefits??? my cousin had $750 stolen last month and shes a single mom with 3 kids. had to use a food bank until they replaced it weeks later.

In addition to changing your PIN, I recommend checking your EBT balance frequently through the app or website. If you notice unauthorized transactions, report them immediately! The sooner you report, the better chance of getting benefits replaced. Also, for anyone concerned about skimming, the California EBT mobile app lets you check your transaction history easily so you can spot problems fast.

Adding to what everyone said - I've been changing my PIN monthly for the past year and it's become second nature. One thing that really helps is doing it on the same day each month (I do it on the 1st). The automated phone system at 877-328-9677 is definitely the fastest - just have your card ready and it takes about 2 minutes. Also want to echo what others said about being careful WHERE you use your card. I've started avoiding gas stations entirely for EBT purchases after hearing they're common targets for skimmers. Stick to major grocery chains when possible. And if a card reader looks loose, worn, or different from others nearby, trust your instincts and find another machine! The fact that we have to worry about this at all is frustrating, but protecting our benefits is worth the small inconvenience of regular PIN changes.

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been using the online method at ebt.ca.gov for PIN changes and it's been working great for me! Takes literally 2 minutes once you're logged in. For anyone having trouble with the website like TechNinja mentioned, try clearing your browser cache first or using a different browser. Sometimes the site gets glitchy with certain browsers. Also, pro tip: when you're at the store, take a quick look at the card reader before you insert your card. If there's a weird overlay or it looks different from other machines, don't use it! I've started taking photos of suspicious readers and reporting them to store management. We all need to look out for each other in this community. The monthly PIN change routine is definitely the way to go. Better safe than sorry when it comes to our food security!

Great thread everyone! I've been dealing with this same concern and really appreciate all the detailed advice. Just wanted to share that I called the automated line (877-328-9677) yesterday and it was super straightforward - took less than 3 minutes total. The system walks you through everything step by step. One thing I learned from my local CalFresh office is that if you ever forget your new PIN after changing it, you can call the same number to get a temporary PIN sent to your address, but it takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail. So definitely write down your new PIN somewhere safe until you memorize it! Also, for anyone worried about remembering to change it regularly - I set up a recurring phone reminder that goes off every 3 weeks. That way I'm never going too long between changes. The peace of mind is totally worth the few minutes it takes each month.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been paranoid about EBT skimming ever since my neighbor had her benefits stolen at a local convenience store. Reading everyone's experiences and tips makes me feel much more confident about protecting myself. I'm definitely going with the automated phone system approach - seems like the most reliable option based on what everyone's shared. Going to set up a monthly reminder like several people suggested, probably on the 5th of each month so it's easy to remember. One question though - has anyone noticed if certain times of day are better for calling? I work weird hours and want to make sure the automated system is available 24/7. Also planning to start checking my balance weekly through that ebtEDGE app someone mentioned. Thank you all for sharing your strategies and looking out for each other. It's reassuring to know this community has each other's backs when it comes to protecting our food security!

This whole conversation has been a lifesaver! I was feeling so overwhelmed about the skimming situation, but seeing everyone's practical advice and systems makes it feel totally doable. I just called the automated line (877-328-9677) based on everyone's recommendations and wow - it really was that easy! Took maybe 2.5 minutes total. The prompts are super clear and it walks you through everything step by step. Having my card in hand definitely helped speed things up. I'm going to follow the advice about setting a monthly reminder on my phone - thinking the 10th of each month will be my day. Also planning to stick to major grocery stores only from now on. The corner store near me is convenient but not worth the risk after reading about everyone's experiences. Thanks to everyone who shared their tips and systems! It's amazing how this community looks out for each other. Knowing other people are dealing with the same concerns and have found ways to stay protected makes this so much less scary. Going to download that ebtEDGE app right now to start monitoring my transactions more closely too.

This thread is absolutely amazing! As someone new to CalFresh, I was completely clueless about EBT skimming being such a real threat. Reading everyone's experiences and practical tips has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly a bit scary, but in a good way - better to know and be prepared! I'm definitely going to start with the automated phone system (877-328-9677) that everyone's recommending. The fact that it's available 24/7 and only takes a few minutes sounds perfect. I love the idea of setting a monthly reminder too - I think I'll go with the 20th of each month since that's easy for me to remember. The advice about being careful where to use the card is something I never would have thought about. I was planning to use it at the little corner market near my apartment, but after reading about the risks, I'll stick to the big grocery chains. Food security is way too important to take any chances. Going to download the ebtEDGE app right now to start monitoring my account regularly. Thank you all so much for sharing your knowledge and looking out for newcomers like me! This community really does have each other's backs, and that means everything when you're navigating something new and potentially stressful like this.

Reading through all these responses has been so reassuring! I was honestly feeling pretty anxious about the whole skimming situation, but seeing everyone's practical solutions makes it feel much more manageable. I just tried the automated phone system (877-328-9677) that everyone recommended and it worked perfectly! Had my card ready and the whole process took maybe 3 minutes. The prompts are really clear - you just follow along step by step. I'm going to set up a monthly reminder for the 1st of each month like someone suggested. That way I can start each month knowing my PIN is fresh and secure. Also planning to stick to Safeway and Target for my EBT purchases from now on - the convenience stores in my neighborhood just aren't worth the risk after reading about everyone's experiences. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and looking out for each other! It's incredible how supportive this community is. The fact that we have to deal with skimmers at all is frustrating, but having these strategies and knowing other people are successfully managing the same concerns makes me feel so much more confident about protecting my benefits.

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! As someone who's been putting off setting up a regular PIN change routine because it seemed complicated, reading everyone's step-by-step experiences has finally motivated me to actually do it. Just called the automated system (877-328-9677) and wow - you all weren't kidding about how easy it is! The whole process took under 3 minutes and the prompts were super clear. I was actually surprised at how user-friendly it was compared to most government phone systems. I'm going to follow the advice about setting a monthly phone reminder - thinking the 15th will work well for my schedule. Also definitely switching to only using my EBT card at major grocery stores from now on. The gas station near my work always seemed sketchy anyway, and after reading about the skimming risks, I'm not taking any chances with my food security. Thank you everyone for sharing your real experiences and practical tips! This community really shows how much we can help each other stay safe and informed. It's frustrating that we have to worry about scammers targeting our benefits, but having solid strategies like these makes me feel so much more confident about protecting what I depend on.

This thread has been absolutely incredible! I can't believe how much practical, actionable advice everyone has shared. As someone who's been worried about EBT skimming but didn't know where to start, reading through all these real experiences has been a game-changer. I just called the automated line (877-328-9677) that everyone keeps mentioning and it really was that simple! Had my card ready, followed the prompts, and changed my PIN in about 3 minutes. The system is way more user-friendly than I expected from a government service. Setting up a monthly reminder on my phone right now for the 25th - that'll be my new PIN change day. And I'm definitely taking everyone's advice about sticking to major grocery stores. The corner shop near me might be convenient, but my food security is way too important to risk on potentially compromised card readers. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where we can share real strategies for protecting ourselves. It's frustrating that we have to deal with scammers targeting our benefits, but knowing this community has practical solutions and everyone's looking out for each other makes me feel so much more confident about staying safe!