State encourages Oregonians to protect their EBT food and cash benefits from electronic theft

By on Friday, January 26th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

NORTHEAST OREGON –(Release from the ODHS) The Oregon Department of Human Services is encouraging people in Oregon to take steps to protect their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from electronic theft. Electronic theft includes card skimming, card cloning, phishing and other similar methods.

“We know that many individuals and families in Oregon rely on the food and cash assistance they receive through their EBT cards to meet their basic needs and to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” said Claire Seguin (she/her), director of the ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs. “We urge everyone with an EBT card to take these simple steps to protect their benefits.”

How to protect your EBT card information:

  • The ebtEDGE website and mobile app are the only safe places to manage your benefits. Bookmark the ebtEDGE login page (cardholder.ebtedge.com)in your browser for quick access. Download the app on the Apple App Storeor get it on Google Play. Do not use any other website or app to check benefits.
  • Beware of social media scams. Only trust social media posts and messages from ODHS official accounts. We will never ask for your benefits card information on social media.
  • Freeze your card right after each use and unfreeze it before you make purchases. Visit ebtEDGE.comor use the ebtEDGE mobile app. Look for “Freeze Card” under “Account Services.”
  • Block purchases made outside of Oregon and online purchases. Visit EBTedge.comor use the ebtEDGE mobile app. Look for “Protect My Account” under “Account Services.” You can remove the blocks later if needed.
  • Keep your PIN secret. Don’t share your PIN with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
  • Check the activity on your EBT account regularly. If you see any purchases you didn’t make, cancel your card
  • Check card reading machines for anything suspicious on top of or attached to the card swiper or keypad. They can be hard to spot, but are often bigger than the original machine and may hide parts of the machine.
  • Do not provide your EBT card number or PIN by phone or text. Scammers use text messages to get EBT card numbers and PINs. These are called phishing scams. ODHS will never send a text message to ask for your EBT card number or PIN. 

How to request replacement SNAP benefits

If your Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits are stolen

You can request replacement benefits by contacting:

Resources to help meet basic needs

About SNAP

Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance and Medicaid. Learn more at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.

Elkhorn Media Group