The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is warning residents about a sharp rise in fraud targeting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and urging clients to protect their Supplemental …
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The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is warning residents about a sharp rise in fraud targeting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and urging clients to protect their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The department has seen an uptick in reports of stolen benefits through card skimming, cloning and related fraud. While this type of theft is not typically due to client actions, DHR officials emphasized that sharing card numbers or PINs with others can increase the risk of compromise.
To combat the issue, DHR continues to process reimbursement requests for affected households. Clients whose benefits were stolen through December 20, 2024, can apply for replacement funds up to twice per federal fiscal year, provided the theft is reported within 30 days of discovery.
Clients who believe their EBT card has been compromised should take immediate action:
• Change their EBT card PIN immediately to prevent further losses.
• Contact their local DHR county office to report the stolen benefits.
• Submit a Reimbursement Request Affidavit with supporting documentation.
Contact information for all 67 county DHR offices can be found at dhr.alabama.gov.
"We are asking the public to stay vigilant when shopping at retailers that accept EBT; if you see anything suspicious immediately report it to the retailer. These criminals are using sophisticated methods, and we ask retailers to work with us to shut these criminals down," Alabama Department of Human Resources Commissioner Nancy Buckner said. "This is a horrible situation for our clients who are already going through tough times. Our team is working hard to process reimbursement claims timely and get our clients some relief, but we need everyone's help to stop these criminals."
To help clients safeguard their benefits, DHR recommends the following steps:
Change PINs regularly: Update PINs at least twice a month, especially before benefit issuance and after each use.
Avoid simple PINs: Refrain from using combinations like '1111,' '1234' or '9876,' which are easy to guess.
Keep PINs and card details private: Do not share this information outside your household, and shield the keypad when entering a PIN.
Watch for phishing scams: DHR will never call or text asking for PINs or card details.
Monitor accounts regularly: Check for unauthorized charges and change the PIN immediately if any suspicious activity appears. Report the issue to the local DHR office.
DHR is also calling on EBT retail partners to check card scanners and payment devices daily for signs of tampering or card skimming devices. These illegal tools capture card data and PINs, enabling fraudsters to clone cards and drain accounts.
"We are asking the public to stay vigilant when shopping at retailers that accept EBT," Buckner said. "If you see anything suspicious, report it to the retailer immediately. These criminals are using sophisticated methods, and we need everyone's cooperation to shut them down."
DHR can issue replacement benefits for specific types of fraud:
• Card skimming (devices that illegally capture card data and PINs).
• Card cloning (fraudulent EBT cards created using skimmed data).
• Other scams, including phishing through fake phone calls or texts mimicking official DHR messaging.
Replacement requests may be denied if there is insufficient evidence, if the fraud occurred outside the eligible timeline, or if the household has already received two replacements in the fiscal year. Additionally, benefits unrelated to SNAP, such as P-EBT, are not eligible for reimbursement.
The ability to reimburse stolen SNAP benefits is made possible by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. SNAP benefits, which are 100% federally funded, are administered by the Alabama Department of Human Resources under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For more information on benefit replacement, fraud prevention tips, or ways to report suspicious activity, visit dhr.alabama.gov/EBT-fraud.