WARNING: EBT card fraud skyrocketing - my CalFresh benefits stolen TWICE in 3 months

omg this JUST happened to me last month!!!! i got my benefits on the 10th and checked my balance that night and it was already ZERO. called ebt customer service and they said transactions were made in san bernardino (i live in sacramento!!). they put my claim in but its been 6 weeks and nothings happened. did u have to do anything special to get your caseworker to actually help???

I work for a community organization that helps people with benefit issues, and we're seeing this problem constantly now. Here's what you need to know about EBT theft in 2025: - Always request a paper receipt and check your balance after EVERY transaction - Never use your EBT card at gas stations if possible (highest fraud locations) - Cover the keypad when entering your PIN (many stores now have hidden cameras) - Set up EBT text alerts for every transaction (worth the $1 monthly fee) - File a police report immediately if benefits are stolen (county requires this now) If you need your benefits replaced, you MUST file the theft report within 10 days of discovering the theft, not 10 days from when benefits were issued (this changed in January).

I had exact same thing happen in December! My whole $1,245 gone in ONE DAY! What made me so mad was when I called the EBT fraud line they basicly accused ME of selling my benefits!! They kept asking if I "shared my PIN with anyone" or if "family members have access to my card" like I'm some kind of criminal! I'm a single mom with 3 kids trying to feed my family. It took almost 7 weeks to get replacement benefits and they only replaced 80% saying something about "partial liability" because I used an ATM that wasn't in a bank.

this is why i always withdraw all my cash benfits the MINUTE they hit my account and leave only the food benefits on the card. cant steal what aint there lol

i dont trust ANY of thos sites asking for my ebt login. my nephew tried to get me to use this app that suposedly finds food stamp discounts but they wanted my whole account # and pin. nope nope nope

I've been helping clients with CalFresh fraud issues for the past year, and here's what you need to know about getting your stolen benefits back faster: 1. File an online police report immediately (most departments have online options now) 2. Call EBT customer service (not the county) to lock your card and report fraud 3. Contact your county office to file the EBT-2259 form (benefit replacement request) 4. Request a "Priority Processing" designation due to hardship The biggest mistake people make is calling the county first instead of EBT customer service. The county can't lock your card or start the fraud investigation - they can only process the replacement after the fraud report exists. If you're having trouble reaching someone at your county office, I've had clients use Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through quickly. They have a service that gets you past the hold times and connects you directly to a worker. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

Everyone keeps saying don't use card at gas stations, but I've had my benefits stolen after using it at Walmart and Safeway too! The skimmers are EVERYWHERE now. The only truly safe way is to transfer your benefits to another app like the California Direct Express card (separate from EBT) or even PayPal which now accepts direct benefit deposits. I haven't had a problem since switching 6 months ago.

Just to add some important information: If your benefits are stolen, California now has an expedited replacement process for households with seniors or children. Ask specifically for "EBT Theft Emergency Replacement" when you call. They're required to process these claims within 3 business days instead of the standard 10 days. This is part of the 2025 CalFresh Anti-Fraud Protection Act that went into effect in January. Also, always check that the card reader doesn't have a loose plastic piece over the actual slot. That's the most common type of skimmer. Give it a gentle tug before inserting your card.

Update: I just came from my local DPSS office and they have a new sign saying they CANNOT process more than 2 benefit theft claims per household per year now! When did this rule change??? The worker said there's been so much fraud that they had to put limits in place. I'm terrified of using my card anywhere now.