Safety

How to protect your EBT card from skimming and scams

Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · 5 minute read · Sources listed below

Benefit theft is real, and federal replacement of stolen SNAP benefits has ended. A few simple habits make your card much harder to steal from.

How skimming works

Thieves attach a hidden device to an ATM or a store's card reader to copy card information. That's called skimming. They then make fake cards (cloning) and use your benefits. USDA notes that EBT payments use the same checkout machines as credit and debit cards, so any card reader can be at risk.

Six habits that protect your benefits

1. Avoid simple PINs. Combinations like 1111, 1234, or 9876 are easy to guess.
2. Keep your PIN and card number secret. Don't share them with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you type your PIN.
3. Watch out for phishing. State agencies and EBT processors will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number.
4. Change your PIN often. USDA suggests at least once a month, right before your benefits are deposited.
5. Check your account regularly. If you see a charge you don't recognize, change your PIN right away and report it to your local SNAP office.
6. Use your state's card security tools. Many states, through their EBT processor's official app or website, let you lock your card or block certain kinds of transactions. Unlock it only when you shop.

Be careful with third-party apps

Only enter your EBT card number, PIN, or benefits login in your state's official EBT app or website, or at a store's checkout. Some state agencies warn against sharing these with unofficial apps. Bag Guy will never ask for your EBT card number, PIN, or state benefits login.

If your benefits are stolen

1. Change your PIN or lock your card right away to stop new charges.
2. Contact your local SNAP office to report the theft and ask for a replacement card. Find it in the SNAP state directory.
3. Write down the details: dates, amounts, and where the charges happened.

Know the facts: Federal law let states replace SNAP benefits stolen by skimming or cloning between October 1, 2022 and December 20, 2024. That authority was not extended, so benefits stolen after December 20, 2024 may not be replaced. That's why prevention matters so much.