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!