Oklahoma Human Services Reports Card Skimming Affecting SNAP Customers Nationwide

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Oklahoma Human Services has been notified of an increase in card skimming activity nationwide affecting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program customers and others who use card-reading machines at grocery stores and retail outlets.

The agency believes more than 100 Oklahoma SNAP users have been affected.

This fraudulent activity doesn’t only target SNAP customers but can affect any customer who uses a credit, debit, or EBT card on a tampered card-reading device.

OHS says for individuals relying on SNAP benefits, losing these services can have a devastating impact.

OHS is encouraging all SNAP customers to change their PIN immediately by calling 1-888-328-6551 or by visiting connectebt.com.

According to OHS, SNAP customers should always:

• Keep their SNAP EBT PIN a secret and do not share it with anyone outside of the household.
• Cover the keypad when entering a PIN on a device.
• Check their SNAP EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If customers do notice something, change the PIN immediately to stop a thief from making any new purchases.
• Check car reader machines to make sure there is nothing suspicious overlaid or attached to the card reader or keypad.

Oklahoma Human Services encourages customers to avoid accumulating large SNAP EBT account balances.

If a SNAP EBT card is skimmed and cloned, thieves can potentially steal all benefits in the account. Benefits that cannot be replaced.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service prohibits replacing stolen SNAP benefits using federal funds.

SNAP customers who have been affected by card skimming or SNAP EBT benefit theft should call 1-888-328-6551 or visit connectebt.com to:

• Immediately change PInumberer
• Reports the card as lost or stolen
• Request a new card

Customers affected are encouraged to contact their local police department or sheriff’s office to file a report.

It is also asked that affected customers contact the Oklahoma Human Services Office of Inspector General by calling 800-784-5887 or by emailing [email protected].

OIG requests customers to provide the following information:

• Name
• Number
• Address
• Phone number
• Date and location of benefits being stolen
• Total amount stolen
• Name of police department or sheriff’s office where report was made
• Police report number

A notice is also being distributed to SNAP retailers by the USDA-FNS.

Retailers who find a card skimmer or detect tampering should stop using the device and call:

• The local police department
• The card-reader equipment provider
• The USDA Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-424-9121