HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh is reminding Pennsylvania residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to protect their EBT cards and personal information to avoid becoming victims of skimming, which involves attaching a device to a point-of-sale (POS) device or ATM to read a card’s magnetic stripe, collect their information, and create a cloned card. DHS is aware of reports of stolen SNAP benefits in the Erie and Western Pennsylvania regions due to card skimming devices.
“DHS works diligently to ensure that the services DHS administers are delivered to Pennsylvanians who need them. That’s why we take fraud prevention so seriously. I urge Pennsylvanians to take as many precautions as possible to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “Be sure to check a card reader before swiping your card, and if you suspect a card reader is attached to a device, do not use the device, immediately notify the business owner or staff, and call the DHS Fraud Reporting Line.”
Pennsylvania residents are urged to take a second look before scanning their card at the POS machine to ensure there is no skimming device present. Retailers must also remain vigilant and be responsible for removing skimming devices to protect their customers.
The FBI recommends the following when using a POS terminal:
Inspect POS terminals, ATMs and other card readers before use. Look for loose, bent, damaged or scratched parts. Do not use a card reader if you notice anything unusual.
Before entering your PIN, pull the edges of the POS keyboard to make sure there is no skimming device connected. Then cover the keyboard when entering your PIN to prevent cameras from recording your entry.
Use ATMs in well-lit indoor locations as these are less vulnerable targets.
Be aware of skimming devices in tourist areas as these are popular targets.
Avoid using your debit card if you have linked accounts. Use a credit card instead.
Contact your financial institution if the ATM does not return your card after you complete or cancel a transaction.
EBT balance and transaction inquiries and card replacements can be requested from DHS’s EBT contractor, Conduent, at (888) 328-7366. Do not use third-party apps to check EBT balances. Anyone who believes their EBT card has been compromised should contact their local County Assistance Office (CAO) to report the suspected fraud and replace their current card.
Please report potential skimming activity by calling the DHS Fraud Tip Line at 1 (844) DHS-TIPS (1 (844) 347-8477) or by submitting a report through the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) website. Pennsylvania residents can watch for current scams and phishing attempts on the DHS scams page at https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/report-fraud/scams.html. In addition, Pennsylvania residents who have questions about whether a call, text message, letter, or other communication is legitimate should contact the DHS Office of Income Maintenance.
Individuals are also encouraged to report any SNAP theft to local law enforcement.
“The Office of State Inspector General and our partners at DHS remain vigilant against these scams, and we encourage the public to do the same. Scams that prey on Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens are unacceptable and must be stopped,” said State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller. “We hope Pennsylvanians will join us by remaining vigilant, continuing to protect their personal information, and promptly reporting any attempts to steal benefits to OSIG. We will continue to work with our state and federal partners to put an end to these predatory practices.”
Replacement services
The Shapiro administration announced in July 2023 that Pennsylvania residents whose SNAP benefits were stolen will be able to have them replaced. SNAP recipients whose benefits were stolen electronically should complete a Benefit Theft Application via PDF or web form within 60 calendar days of the incident. DHS will then validate the application within 30 calendar days of submission for review, and if a replacement is to be issued, that can be done within 10 calendar days of the review.
For immediate food needs while DHS is investigating a claim for theft of SNAP benefits, Pennsylvania residents can call 211 or visit www.pa211.org to contact various local food sources. They can also visit www.feedingpa.org to find local food banks and other food assistance programs. DHS and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture have also compiled information about food assistance programs on their websites. Information about assistance programs and other resources can be found at www.dhs.pa.gov/ending-hunger and www.agriculture.pa.gov/food_security.
Individuals can apply for public assistance programs online at: www.dhs.pa.gov/compass.
On-site CAO services are available when customers are unable to access online services or need assistance that cannot be accessed through the COMPASS website, the MyCOMPASS PA app, or by calling the Customer Service Centers at (215) 560-7226 for Philadelphia customers or 1 (877) 395-8930 for all other counties.
