Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Human Services:
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) is aware of multiple reports of persons gaining access to unsuspecting individuals' SNAP EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card numbers and PIN through skimming.
Card skimmers are stealthy fraud devices that collect or copy card information when a card is swiped or scanned for payment. Criminals attach card skimmers to common card reading devices, such as grocery store or gas pump payment systems. Although they’re often used to steal bank funds or credit card information, skimmers can also be used to steal benefits that use electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
MDHS requests all SNAP clients who suspect they are a victim of fraud by skimming since October 1, 2022, to take the following actions.
First, call the Mississippi EBT card holder service center at 1-866-512-5087 as soon as possible to report the card as compromised and create a new PIN. This will deactivate the card and send a new card to the account holder.
Second, all clients who suspect they are a victim of fraud by skimming are asked to file a report of the incident with the MDHS Office of Inspector General fraud hotline at 1-800-299-6905 to open an investigation into the case.
SNAP participants are encouraged to take the following actions that may help prevent card skimming:
- Avoid Simple PINs: Number combinations such as 1111, 1234, or 9876 may be easy for others to guess.
- Frequent PIN changes: By changing PINs frequently, at least monthly, and doing so before benefit issuance dates, households can minimize their risk of stolen benefits from a previously skimmed EBT card.
- Keep your PIN secret. Do not share your PIN with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
- Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you notice any, change your PIN immediately to stop the thief from making new purchases.
- Check card reading machines to make sure there's nothing suspicious overlayed or attached to the card swiper or keypad. The overlays can be difficult to detect but are often bigger than the original machine and may hide parts of the machine.
For updates, visit Home - Mississippi Department of Human Services (ms.gov) or follow on MDHS Facebook or MDHS Twitter.
SNAP provides food assistance for eligible households through an EBT card. This benefit is intended to supplement a household's food budget, allowing them to purchase eligible items from grocery stores that can be used at home. Additional program information can be found on our website, Home - Mississippi Department of Human Services (ms.gov)
