Fake "EBT card locked" text or card skimmer drains your SNAP food benefits
Criminals steal SNAP/EBT food benefits two ways — by placing hidden skimmers on grocery store card readers that copy card numbers and PINs, or by sending fake texts saying your EBT card is locked and directing you to call a number that captures your credentials.
Also known as: EBT skimming scam, SNAP benefits theft, EBT card locked text scam, food stamp card skimming
Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes
- 1 Call your bank or card's fraud line right now. Use the number on the back of your card — not any number from the message or caller. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and freeze the account.
- 2 If you paid by gift card, wire, or an app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App): contact that company immediately and report it as fraud. Acting fast sometimes recovers the money.
- 3 Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The sooner, the better.
What to do right now
- 1 Do not call the number in any text about your EBT card — instead, call the number printed on the back of your EBT card directly
- 2 Never enter your EBT card number or PIN on a website or by phone unless you dialed the official state number yourself
- 3 If you think a card reader has a skimmer, do not use it — wiggle the card slot; a loose or protruding overlay is a sign of tampering
- 4 Check your EBT balance regularly; most states let you check online, by phone, or via the ebtEDGE or ConnectEBT app
- 5 If benefits were stolen, report immediately to your state SNAP office — some states offer replacement benefits within days; federal law now allows up to two months of stolen benefits to be replaced
- 6 Report to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov.
Red flags
- ⚠ A text says your EBT card is 'locked' or 'suspended' and gives a phone number to call — that number is fake
- ⚠ The automated phone system asks you to enter your EBT card number and PIN to 'unlock' your account
- ⚠ Your monthly SNAP balance disappears suddenly — often minutes after the benefits are loaded
- ⚠ You notice purchases you didn't make, often in a different state
- ⚠ State agencies and EBT processors will never call or text asking for your card number or PIN
Sources
- USDA FNS — SNAP Scam Alerts (EBT skimming and phishing)
- FTC — Protect your SNAP benefits from illegal card skimmers (2024)
- Iowa AG — Alert: texts claiming locked EBT cards are a scam
- US Secret Service — 2026 EBT fraud and ATM skimming outreach (Feb 2026)
- Ohio Statehouse News — SNAP benefits vulnerable to theft; no recourse for victims (Jan 2026)
- KVUE — $21M in Texas SNAP benefits stolen; EBT chip card transition lags (2026)