Should I change my EBT PIN before benefit day to prevent CalFresh theft?

YES YES YES ppl are absolutely selling and stealing benefits!!!!! My cousin's neighbor had $870 STOLEN right off her EBT card last November and the county told her NOTHING could be done because she must have "shared her PIN" which is COMPLETE BS!!!! Change ur pin EVERY MONTH and NEVER use the card at sketchy places. They have these skimmer things they put on ATMs and store card readers. Some cashiers are in on it too!!!

my sister got her calfresh stolen last year n they put back the money but it took like 4 months for real though

EBT theft is definitely a problem, but there are specific steps you can take to protect yourself. Changing your PIN regularly is a good practice, but more importantly: 1. Never share your PIN with anyone 2. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN 3. Check your EBT balance frequently through the app 4. Avoid using your EBT card at terminals that look suspicious or have loose parts 5. If possible, use your EBT card at major grocery stores rather than smaller retailers If your benefits are stolen, California now has a process for replacement benefits under certain conditions, but you must report the theft within 10 days of discovering it. You'll need to file a police report and submit an affidavit to your county office.

I had this exact worry last year! I started changing my PIN regularly but honestly what helped most was signing up for text alerts on my EBT account. Now I get a message every time there's a transaction so I'd know right away if someone was using my benefits. You can also freeze/unfreeze your card through the EBT app now which is super helpful when you're not using it.

I work as a benefits counselor, and unfortunately, EBT theft has increased in the past year. Here's what you should know: - California passed a law (SB 43) effective January 2025 that improves the benefit replacement process - Victims can now receive one-time replacement benefits (up to 2 months worth) when theft is verified - You must report theft within 10 days and file a police report Regarding changing your PIN before benefits arrive - it's not a bad idea, but won't help if someone has already compromised your card. Instead: 1. Enable account alerts through the EBT app 2. Only use your card at reputable stores 3. Consider using the "freeze card" feature when not actively shopping 4. Check your balance frequently If you do experience theft, you'll need to contact your county office immediately, which can be challenging.

So is it true people are SELLING their benefits?? I don't understand how that even works - like they give someone their card and PIN for cash? Wouldn't the county find out if you're spending all your CalFresh at once or in a weird location?

I heard they target specific days of the month when benefits get loaded!!! So changing your PIN the night before is actually smart.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm definitely going to set up those text alerts and use the freeze card feature between shopping trips. I'll still probably change my PIN regularly too, just to be safe. With these benefits feeding my kids, I can't take any chances. Has anyone successfully gotten replacement benefits when theirs were stolen? How long did the process take?

My neighbor swears someone at the grocery store stole her benefits but turns out her teenage son was using her card without telling her lol. Make sure it's actually theft before reporting it!

To answer your follow-up question about replacement benefits, here's what I've seen working with clients who've experienced theft: - The new process (as of January 2025) is significantly better than before - Most legitimate claims are being processed in 3-4 weeks now (compared to 3-6 months previously) - You'll need to submit form CF 303 (EBT Benefit Theft Report) - Include the police report number and any evidence (skimmer photos, unusual transaction locations) - Be very specific about when you last used the card and when you discovered the theft The process still requires persistence. Document every call, email, and interaction with your county worker during the claim process. Keep copies of everything you submit.