URGENT! EBT skimming fraud in my area - got my CalFresh benefits stolen

OMG this happened to me last month!!!! I had $392 stolen and they used it at some store I never heard of. When I called they said my card was used in San Bernardino but I live in Sacramento?!?! HOW??? I never even lost my card it was in my wallet the whole time. The EBT lady said thieves use hidden card readers at stores or ATMs that copy your card info. Took me 3 weeks to get my $ back but I DID eventually get it. Make sure you file a police report too - that's what helped me. So sorry this happened to you.

3 WEEKS??? We can't go that long without food assistance. Did they give you any emergency benefits while you waited? And how exactly did the police report help?

skimmers are EVERYWHERE now. happens with credit cards too. sorry ur going thru this. when u get ur new card, always check the card slot before u put ur card in anywhere. if it feels loose or looks weird, don't use it.

Totally right. My cousin works at 7-11 and says they check their card readers twice a day now for skimmers. These thieves are getting real sophisticated.

I volunteer with a CalFresh advocacy group and unfortunately EBT skimming has become extremely common in 2025. Here's what you need to know:\n\n1. Request an EBT ARU Fraud Claim Form immediately (sounds like you already started this process)\n2. File a police report and get a case number - this speeds up the investigation\n3. Request emergency replacement benefits by completing form CF 303 - you may qualify for expedited replacement within 3 days instead of waiting the full investigation period\n4. Going forward, change your PIN regularly and cover the keypad when entering it\n\nYou can also contact your local food bank for emergency assistance while waiting. The California Association of Food Banks has a food locator tool on their website.

Thank you for this detailed information! I didn't know about the CF 303 form - the worker didn't mention that at all. I'll definitely ask about expedited replacement tomorrow. And I'll check out the food bank locator. Really appreciate your help!

This happened to me too. When I finally got through to someone at the county office, they told me they're seeing HUNDREDS of skimming cases every week now. The investigation took 12 business days for me but I did get my benefits back eventually. \n\nHere's what helped me - I used Claimyr to reach a real person at the CalFresh office instead of dealing with the regular EBT hotline. You just go to claimyr.com and they can connect you directly to a county worker without the ridiculous wait times. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8\n\nThe direct connection to the county office was way more helpful than the regular EBT customer service people. The county worker was able to prioritize my case and explain exactly what documentation I needed.

Does this actually work? I've been trying to call about my recertification for days and keep getting disconnected after waiting 45+ minutes.

Yes it actually does work! I was skeptical too but I was desperate after being on hold for hours. Got connected to a real person in about 10 minutes. Definitely worth it when you're dealing with something urgent like fraud or benefits being cut off.

After you get a new card, I highly recommend setting up account alerts through the EBT app or website. You can get text messages for every transaction over a certain amount. That way you'll know immediately if there's suspicious activity. Also, never use your EBT card at outdoor ATMs or gas station card readers - those are the most common places for skimmers.\n\nAnother important tip: the county can sometimes provide emergency replacement benefits within 3 days if you emphasize that you have children in the household and no other resources for food. Make sure to specifically ask about emergency replacement due to theft - it's different from regular emergency benefits.

This is super helpful, thank you! I didn't even know the EBT app had transaction alerts. Will definitely set that up on my new card. And I'll specifically ask about the emergency replacement benefits for households with children.

be careful where u use ur card!! my caseworker said never use at gas stations. the skimmers look real n theyre hard 2 spot. also dont tell nobody ur pin or let strangers see u put it in. ID theft is super common with calfresh now

It's crazy how sophisticated these scammers have gotten! I'm going to be so paranoid about using my card now. Might just use it at the big grocery stores from now on.

what they told me is there is no way to tell if a machine has a skimmer!!! i only use my card at safeway now. no more corner stores or gas stations.

This is so scary - I had no idea EBT skimming was this widespread! Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize I need to be way more careful with my card. I always thought those warnings about checking card readers were just for credit cards. For anyone dealing with this right now, I found out that some food pantries don't require any paperwork or waiting periods - you can literally just show up and get groceries the same day while you're waiting for your benefits to be restored. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities usually have emergency food programs. Also, if you have kids, call 211 - they can connect you to local resources for families in crisis situations. Stay safe everyone and thanks for sharing your stories. This community really helps us look out for each other! 💙