SNAP recipients victimized by electronic scams can request reimbursement under temporary program

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) - Arkansans who get food assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, who have had their benefits stolen through electronic scams known as cloning or skimming can request to have those funds added back to their accounts under a new, temporary program.

Under a newly-enacted federal law, SNAP recipients can ask the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) for reimbursement of benefits lost due to cloning or skimming. This is a temporary relief program that only applies to thefts that occurred between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024.

"Improving food security for Arkansans in need is one of our state's highest priorities," said DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam. "We are pleased to offer this relief program for those affected by thieves who prey on Arkansas children and families."

Skimming refers to when thieves attach a device to a point-of-sale card scanner and steal the information from an EBT card. Cloning refers to the copying of stolen EBT information onto a new card, that can then be used to steal the benefits.

Those who believe they have been victimized should report the theft to DHS no later than November 27, 2024. Thefts must be reviewed and verified by a DHS eligibility worker to validate the claim and reinstate the stolen benefits.

Affected recipients should download and complete a Declaration of Stolen Benefits form, email to [email protected], mail to DHS, P.O. Box 2630 Blytheville, AR 72315-2802, or return it to their local DHS county office.

Take steps to protect accounts

DHS is also continuing to urge SNAP recipients to take steps to protect their accounts, as there are reports of various scams circulating in Arkansas and around the country that aim to trick SNAP recipients into revealing the Personal Identification Number (PIN) that protects their account. These scams also prey upon accounts that use common PINs that can be easily guessed.

"SNAP recipients need to set a PIN that is only known to them and not commonly used," said Mary Franklin, Director of the DHS Division of County Operations. "Avoid using easy-to-guess PINs such as 1-2-3-4 or all the same digit, like 0-0-0-0 or 1-1-1-1. These may seem handy to remember for the rightful recipient, but they also make it easy for thieves to access the account and drain the funds."

DHS is encouraging SNAP recipients to protect their accounts by calling the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Customer Service line at 1-800-997-9999, following the prompts, and resetting their PIN to a combination that is known to them and no one else. Recipients should do this as soon as possible to ensure that their account is secure before new benefits are added to the cards, which typically occurs beginning around the 4th of each month. DHS also recommends several other steps to secure SNAP accounts:

• 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 any 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.
• Never reveal your PIN to anyone. DHS will not reach out via email, social media message, or text to ask for a PIN.

SNAP provides food assistance to eligible households to cover a portion of a household's food budget, and benefits are distributed through an EBT card. SNAP benefits can be used to buy eligible food items for eating at home. Additional information about the program is available at humanservices.arkansas.gov/u/snap.