Someone keeps draining my EBT card - CalFresh benefits stolen 3 times, county refusing to replace funds

Unfortunately, this is happening a lot lately. EBT card skimming has become really sophisticated. One possibility is that there's a skimmer at a store you regularly shop at. The thieves install tiny devices on the card readers that are hard to see. The other possibility is if you're using public wifi when checking your balance on the app or website - hackers can sometimes intercept that information. As for the county's three strikes policy, that's actually not entirely accurate. There is a federal rule limiting replacements, but there are exceptions especially in cases of proven fraud. Have you filed a police report? That's step one. Step two is to ask specifically for a supervisor at your county office and mention that you want to file for an "Administrative Hearing" to appeal the decision.

I went through this exact nightmare last year. The thing that finally fixed it for me was switching to the "EBT cash lockdown" feature. You have to call EBT customer service and specifically request this. It prevents all cash withdrawals and makes your card only usable for food purchases at point-of-sale terminals. You can also ask them to enable the "geographic restriction" which blocks any transactions outside your county. But even with these features, I'd suggest ONLY loading your benefits onto the card right before you're going shopping, then immediately making your purchases. It's a hassle but better than losing everything. For the current situation, definitely appeal! The county workers often don't tell you all your options.

This happened to my sister too!!! the county was awful about it. try going physically to the office and DEMAND to talk to a supervisor not just ur regular worker. bring any proof u have of the transactions u didnt make. sometimes they can see the store security camera footage if u push hard enough!! dont take no for an answer!!!!

The 'three strikes' policy is actually part of federal regulations, but what most people don't know is that there's a distinction between random theft and proven fraud cases. When you can demonstrate a pattern that shows you're being specifically targeted (like in your case where it's happening immediately after benefits post), you can request a special review. I recommend three immediate steps: 1. File a police report specifically mentioning it's happened multiple times 2. Request an Administrative Hearing through your county office (you have 90 days to request this) 3. Change where and how you use your card completely Also, have you checked your mail very carefully? Some thieves are creating duplicate cards by somehow intercepting the mailings with new cards. And definitely check your EBT account for any authorized users you didn't add. One final thing - while you work through this, you can apply for emergency food assistance through the county again as a separate issue from the theft.

Try Claimyr if you're having trouble getting through to an actual CalFresh worker about this issue. I spent DAYS trying to get past the automated system when my benefits were stolen. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a real person in minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 The key is getting to a supervisor who can actually review your case properly. Regular workers often just recite policy without looking at special circumstances. When I finally got through, the supervisor immediately recognized it was part of a fraud pattern in my area and approved my replacement benefits.

I work at a community resource center, and unfortunately we're seeing a major increase in EBT fraud cases. There's a sophisticated ring operating in many states right now. Here's what most people don't realize: these thieves are often getting your card info without ever touching your physical card. Some common methods: 1. Bluetooth skimmers installed inside legitimate card readers (they're completely hidden inside) 2. Fake customer service scams - getting texts or calls claiming to be EBT requiring verification 3. Database breaches of stores where you've used your card For immediate help, contact your local food bank network - many have emergency programs specifically for victims of benefit theft. And definitely request an Administrative Hearing as others mentioned - you'll need to specifically use that term. Also, California actually passed new legislation in 2023 that provides additional protections for theft victims, especially those who can demonstrate they took reasonable security precautions.

omg this literally just happened to me last month!!! i think theres a skimmer at the 7-11 on harrison st cuz thats the only place i used my card and then boom money gone. the lady at the office told me to just do food banks too which is complete bs. im a single mom with 3 kids how are we supposed to survive???

Update: I went to the police station today and filed a report. The officer actually said they've had several similar reports recently and they think there's an organized group targeting EBT cards in our county! He said to definitely appeal with the county and gave me a copy of the police report to bring with me. I also called EBT customer service and enabled the card lockdown feature that someone suggested here. The representative also helped me check for any authorized users (there weren't any) and set up text alerts for all transactions. I have an appointment with a supervisor at the county office tomorrow. Feeling a little more hopeful but still stressed about feeding my kids this month. Thanks everyone for the support and advice!

One other suggestion - when you get your next replacement card, immediately set up the BenefitsCal mobile app if you haven't already. The newest version has a feature where you can temporarily "freeze" your card between uses. It's not perfect protection, but it's another layer of security. You just unfreeze it right before shopping and freeze it again right after. Also, only use the card inside major grocery stores at the register, not at outdoor terminals or ATMs. And if you do social media, make sure you're not accidentally posting photos that show your card or shopping receipts (which sometimes have partial card numbers).