Suspicious 'ebtwm' charges on EBT card - CalFresh benefits possibly stolen?

YES! This happened to me last month! The 'ebtwm' charge is definitely fraud. Someone skimmed your card. You need to call the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 IMMEDIATELY and report it as fraud. They'll cancel your current card and send you a new one. But here's the really crappy part - in California, they don't always reimburse stolen CalFresh benefits. It's not like regular debit cards where you're protected. They changed some rules recently but it's still a mess to deal with.

' ebtwm typically stands 'for EBT Withdrawal' Money which appears when someone uses your EBT card information to make unauthorized purchases. This is unfortunately becoming more common with card skimming devices placed on ATMs and point-of-sale machines. Here are the specific steps you should take: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service (line) 1-877-328-9677 immediately to report the fraud and have your card canceled 2. Request a new card 3. File a police report - this is important for the next step 4. Contact your county CalFresh office to report the theft and provide them with the police report number 5. Ask specifically about 'the EBT Theft Victim' Replacement process California passed a law that allows for some replacement of stolen benefits, but there are specific timelines and documentation requirements. The sooner you report this, the better your chances ofrecovery.

This happened to my sister last year and they never gave her the money back!!!! the whole system is rigged against us. They expect us to feed our kids on these tiny benefits and then when they get stolen they're like 'too bad so sad'... she had to go to a food bank for the rest of the month because they wouldnt replace the stolen benefits. idk why they cant protect our benefits better i mean its 2025 ffs

I help clients with CalFresh issues, and sadly this type of EBT theft has become increasingly common. The 'ebtwm' notation is definitely unauthorized access. The good news is that California now has a benefit replacement process for EBT theft victims. You need to: 1. Report the theft to the EBT hotline immediately 2. Get a police report (many local stations let you file these online now) 3. Submit form CF 303 "Request for EBT Cash/SNAP Benefit Replacement Due to Electronic Theft" to your county office The replacement can take 2-4 weeks to process, but they should replace the stolen amount as long as you report within 90 days of the theft. Keep detailed notes of every conversation, including who you spoke with and when. Also, I recommend checking if your benefits were used out of state or at unusual stores - provide this information in your report as it strengthens your case.

I've had this happen THREE times now! After the second time, I started immediately transferring my CalFresh benefits to another card using the Providers app. Not sure if that's still allowed but it saved me when my EBT card got compromised again. Basically as soon as benefits hit my account, I move them. The 'ebtwm' is 100% fraud and it usually happens from those card skimmers they put on card readers at stores. They steal your card info and make fake cards to drain your benefits.

i had this EXACT thing happen omg! called the number on the back of the card like 50 times and kept getting disconnected. finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person at the EBT office in like 10 minutes. they have this video showing how it works https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 cuz honestly the regular phone system is useless. i filed the fraud report and got a new card but still waiting on replacement benefits. definitely report it fast!

yeah it does work! i was skeptical too but they got me through when i couldnt get past the automated system for days

BTW guys I think we should all be checking our balances like EVERY DAY now cause of this stuff happening so much. My cousin works at the grocery store and she says they've had tons of people coming in saying their benefits got stolen recently. IDK what's going on but seems like theres some big scam targeting EBT cards going around Cali right now

Here are some additional protective measures you should take to prevent future EBT theft: 1. Change your PIN immediately after getting your new card, and change it regularly (monthly) 2. Never share your PIN with anyone 3. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN at stores 4. Examine card readers for skimming devices before inserting your card 5. Opt into EBT transaction alerts if your county offers them (many now do) 6. Check your balance frequently through the official EBT app or phone line 7. When possible, use your card at major grocery stores rather than smaller retailers Also, once you get your new card, I recommend withdrawing benefits in fewer, larger transactions rather than many small ones to minimize exposure.

Any updates on your situation? Were you able to report it? I'm curious because I'm still fighting with my county about my stolen benefits from last month.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is really scary and unfortunately becoming way too common. I work with families dealing with benefit issues and want to add a few things that might help: When you call the EBT hotline, ask them to put a fraud alert on your account immediately - this can prevent further unauthorized transactions while you wait for the new card. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to your county office, try calling first thing in the morning around 8 AM when they open - the lines are usually less busy then. One thing I've learned is that some counties are better than others at processing these theft replacement claims. If you run into roadblocks, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor or contact your county's CalFresh program manager directly. In the meantime, if you're struggling to feed your family while waiting for resolution, contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for emergency food assistance resources in your area. Many food banks don't require documentation and can help bridge the gap. Keep detailed records of everything - dates, times, who you spoke with, reference numbers. This documentation will be crucial if you need to escalate your case. Hoping this gets resolved quickly for you!

This is such a frustrating situation and I'm sorry you're dealing with this! I went through something similar about 6 months ago. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraudulent - it means someone got your card information and is using it to make unauthorized purchases. One thing I want to mention that I didn't see in the other responses - when you call the EBT hotline, make sure to ask them for the exact dates, times, and locations where these fraudulent transactions occurred. This information is really helpful when you file your police report and the CF 303 form. In my case, the transactions showed up at stores that were hundreds of miles away from where I live, which made it obvious it was fraud. Also, while you're waiting for your replacement benefits to be processed, check if your county has an emergency food assistance program. Some counties can provide temporary food vouchers or expedited CalFresh benefits for theft victims. It's worth asking about when you submit your CF 303 form. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me, but I did eventually get my stolen benefits replaced. Hang in there and keep following up - don't let them ignore your case!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family! This is becoming way too common and it's really scary. I actually had my EBT card compromised twice in the past year - both times with those mysterious 'ebtwm' charges that I definitely didn't make. The advice everyone's given here is spot on, especially about calling immediately. One thing I learned from my experience is to ask the EBT customer service rep to email you a transaction history showing all the fraudulent charges. Having that documentation in writing really helped when I submitted my replacement request. Also, if you're comfortable sharing, what area of California are you in? I've noticed certain regions seem to be getting hit harder with these skimming scams. In my area (Central Valley), several people in my apartment complex have had this happen recently, so there might be compromised card readers at local stores. The waiting period for replacement benefits is really tough, especially with kids to feed. Beyond food banks, also check if your kids' schools have weekend backpack programs or if there are any community meal programs in your area. Some churches and community centers offer free meals even if you're not a member. Keep us updated on how the replacement process goes - your experience could really help other people who are dealing with this same issue!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is incredibly stressful, especially when you're counting on those benefits to feed your family. The advice from everyone here is excellent, and I want to add one more thing that helped me when this happened to my neighbor last year. When you call your county office to submit the CF 303 form, ask them specifically about their "expedited processing" option for EBT theft cases. Some counties can fast-track these replacement requests if you're facing food insecurity, especially with children in the household. It might cut your waiting time from 3-4 weeks down to 1-2 weeks. Also, I'd recommend calling the stores where you regularly shop (if you know which ones) and letting them know there might be a compromised card reader in the area. Some store managers are really good about checking their machines and removing skimmers when they're alerted. Document everything with photos too - take pictures of your EBT card, the transaction history screen, your police report, and any forms you submit. Having visual records can really help if there are any complications with your case. You've got this, and your kids are lucky to have such a proactive parent advocating for them. Keep pushing through the system - you deserve to have your stolen benefits replaced!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is becoming such a huge problem and it's honestly terrifying how vulnerable our EBT cards are to these scammers. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraudulent - I've seen this exact same thing happen to several people in my community recently. Everyone here has given you amazing advice, and I want to emphasize how important it is to act fast. The 90-day reporting window for benefit replacement is real, and the sooner you get everything documented, the better your chances are. One thing I learned when helping a friend through this process is that it really helps to have a paper trail for everything. Keep copies of your police report, the CF 303 form, and any correspondence with your county office. Some counties are better than others at staying organized with these cases. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to at your county office doesn't seem familiar with the EBT theft replacement process. Unfortunately, not all workers are trained on the newer policies. If you run into that, politely ask to speak with someone who handles fraud cases or a supervisor. You're doing all the right things, and I really hope you get your benefits replaced quickly. Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience could help other families who find themselves in this same scary situation!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more and more common, and it's absolutely infuriating when you're already struggling to make ends meet. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraud - that stands for "EBT Withdrawal Money" and it means someone got hold of your card information somehow. I went through this exact same thing about 8 months ago and it was such a nightmare to deal with. Here's what I learned from my experience that might help you: 1. When you call the EBT hotline, don't just report the fraud - ask them to freeze your account immediately so no more unauthorized transactions can happen while you're waiting for your new card. 2. Get the fraud case number from them and write it down - you'll need this for all your other reports. 3. The police report is crucial, but you can usually file it online now which saves time. Make sure to include the fraud case number from EBT in your police report. 4. When you submit the CF 303 form, attach a copy of your police report AND a printout of your transaction history showing the fraudulent charges. The more documentation you provide upfront, the faster they can process your claim. One thing that really helped me was calling my county office and explaining that I have children and asking if there were any emergency food assistance options while I waited for the replacement benefits. They actually had a small emergency fund that could provide a temporary food voucher - not every county has this, but it's worth asking about. The whole process took about 2.5 weeks for me, and I did eventually get all my stolen benefits back. Stay on top of it and don't let them brush you off. You've got this!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family! EBT theft is becoming such a widespread problem and it's heartbreaking that families have to deal with this on top of everything else. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraudulent - I've seen this exact same pattern multiple times in my work helping families navigate benefit issues. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about reporting the fraud and submitting the CF 303 form. I want to add one more resource that might help while you're waiting for your replacement benefits to come through: many counties have partnerships with local food rescue organizations that can provide fresh produce and other groceries specifically for families dealing with benefit emergencies like theft. When you call your county office, ask specifically if they work with any "food rescue" or "gleaning" programs in your area. These are different from traditional food banks and sometimes have less paperwork required. Also, if you have WIC benefits for any younger children, those are on a separate system and won't be affected by the EBT theft. Keep documenting everything and don't give up if the first person you talk to doesn't seem helpful - unfortunately the training on these newer theft replacement policies isn't consistent across all county workers. You're being a great advocate for your family by acting so quickly. Wishing you the best with getting this resolved!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is such a violation and it's terrifying how common EBT theft has become. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraudulent - that notation appears when someone uses stolen card information to make unauthorized purchases. I want to echo what others have said about acting quickly, but also add that you should document the specific stores and locations where these fraudulent transactions occurred when you call the EBT hotline. This information will be crucial for your police report and CF 303 form. In many cases, the fraud shows purchases at stores far from where you live, which makes it obviously fraudulent. While you're waiting for resolution, please don't hesitate to reach out to your local food banks and 211 for emergency assistance. Many food banks have special protocols for families dealing with benefit theft and can provide additional support during this difficult time. Also, once you get your new card, I'd strongly recommend changing your PIN regularly and being extra cautious about where you use it. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN and inspect card readers for anything that looks suspicious or loose before swiping. You're doing everything right by reporting this so quickly. Keep detailed records of every conversation and don't let anyone brush off your case. The replacement benefit process does work, but it requires persistence. Hoping you get this resolved soon!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's absolutely terrible that families already struggling with food security have to deal with this kind of fraud on top of everything else. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely theft and you're doing all the right things by reporting it immediately. I wanted to add one tip that helped me when I went through a similar situation: when you get your new EBT card, ask the customer service rep to set up text or email alerts for all transactions if your state offers that service. It's not available everywhere, but some states now send you a notification every time your card is used. This way you'll know immediately if there's any unauthorized activity instead of discovering it days or weeks later. Also, while you're waiting for the replacement benefits, check if your children's school participates in any weekend food programs or if they have a school pantry. Many schools have started these programs specifically to help families bridge gaps like this, and the staff are usually very understanding about temporary situations like benefit theft. Keep pushing through the system and don't let anyone tell you that replacement isn't possible - the laws have changed and you absolutely deserve to have your stolen benefits replaced. You're being such a strong advocate for your family!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common and it's such a stressful situation, especially when you're relying on those benefits to feed your family. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraudulent - I've seen this happen to several people in my community recently. You've gotten amazing advice from everyone here, and I want to add one thing that really helped when my neighbor went through this last year: ask your county office if they can provide you with a temporary case worker number or direct phone line while your theft case is being processed. Some counties assign a specific worker to handle these fraud cases, and having that direct contact can save you from getting bounced around between different departments when you need to follow up. Also, I'd recommend taking screenshots or photos of your EBT transaction history on your phone before you lose access to the old card. Having that visual documentation can be really helpful if there are any questions about the timeline of the theft. While you're waiting for resolution, don't forget that some local churches and community organizations offer free community meals that don't require any paperwork - they might be able to help bridge the gap until your replacement benefits come through. You're handling this really well by acting so quickly. Keep us updated on how the process goes - your experience will definitely help other families who might face this same situation!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! EBT fraud has become such a huge problem and it's incredibly stressful when you're already counting on every dollar to feed your family. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraudulent - I've unfortunately seen this happen to way too many people in our community lately. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice about reporting it immediately and filing the CF 303 form. I want to add that when you call your county office, it's really helpful to ask them upfront what their current processing time is for EBT theft replacement cases. Some counties are faster than others, and knowing the timeline can help you plan for food assistance in the meantime. Also, if you haven't already, consider reaching out to your local mutual aid groups on social media or neighborhood apps like Nextdoor. Many communities have informal networks that help families dealing with benefit theft by sharing groceries or meal prep while they wait for resolution. One more thing - when you get your new card, ask if your county offers any additional security features like transaction limits or geographic restrictions that might help prevent this from happening again. You're being such a strong advocate for your family by acting so quickly on this. The system for replacing stolen benefits does work, but it definitely requires persistence. Hang in there and keep pushing - you deserve to have your stolen benefits replaced!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family! EBT theft is becoming such a serious problem and it's incredibly unfair that families already struggling have to deal with this additional stress. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraudulent - that stands for "EBT Withdrawal Money" and indicates someone has illegally accessed your card information. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the immediate steps to take. I wanted to add something that helped my cousin when this happened to her: when you submit your CF 303 form, include a brief written statement explaining how the theft has impacted your family's ability to access food. Some counties take this into consideration when prioritizing cases for review. Also, keep calling the EBT customer service line every few days to check the status of your replacement card - sometimes they can expedite shipping if you explain you have children in the household and are experiencing food insecurity. While you're waiting, many local pantries and food rescue organizations specifically understand benefit theft situations and can provide extra assistance. Some even have "emergency boxes" with kid-friendly foods that require no preparation. The fact that you caught this so quickly and are taking all the right steps gives me confidence you'll get your benefits replaced. California's new theft replacement program does work, but it requires persistence. Keep detailed records of everything and don't let anyone discourage you from pursuing your case. You've got this!