SNAP customers encouraged to protect their EBT cards

SANTA FE – Food assistance recipients who had their benefits electronically stolen or skimmed will no longer be eligible to receive federal reimbursement after September 30, 2024.

Federal assistance to reimburse Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers for electronically stolen or skimmed benefits will expire at the end of September.

In late December 2022, Congress passed a law to protect and replace SNAP benefits stolen via card skimming, card cloning, and other similar methods. The law required states to replace benefits stolen between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024.

As the law concludes, the HCA will no longer receive federal funding to replace SNAP benefits stolen after September 30, 2024. The HCA encourages SNAP customers to check their account balance, review past purchases, and file claims if needed before the end of September.

“We are focused on helping our customers protect and use their SNAP benefits,” said Niki Kozlowski, director of Income Support Division of HCA. “We urge all SNAP customers to monitor their account, use their benefits, and change their account PIN regularly.”

SNAP benefits are eligible for replacement if the theft occurred between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2024. Benefit replacement requests must be received within 30 calendar days of when the theft is discovered. Any benefit thefts which occur on or after Oct. 1, 2024, will not be eligible for replacement.

SNAP customers need to be aware and monitor their account balance and if they believe benefits have been stolen due to card skimming, cloning or phishing should contact HCA by:

• Visiting a HCA Income Support Division Office
• Calling HCA Consolidated Customer Service at 1-800-283-4465, 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Reporting the benefits theft online at www.yes.state.nm.us  

HCA recommends SNAP customers report the fraud to local law enforcement.

HCA urges all SNAP customers to be vigilant when using their EBT card. Here are tips to help avoid card skimmers and card theft.

• Protect your EBT card: Keep it in a safe place, and don’t write your PIN on the card or its sleeve. Never share your card or PIN with others.
• Manage your EBT card with Fidelity Information Services (FIS) by calling 1-800-843-8303, www.ebtEDGE.com or on the ebtEDGE mobile app:
  • Review your purchases and check your EBT card balance regularly. 
  • Change your PIN at least once a month. Please avoid using common card PIN numbers.
  • Freeze and unfreeze your EBT card or to request a new card.
• HCA or FIS will never reach out by phone, text or email to ask for your card number or PIN.
• If you see suspicious activity or see something unusual at a card reader, report it to the retailer immediately.
• When you’re at a store always look at the card reader before swiping your EBT card to see if anything looks unusual.  Parts can be added to the readers that steal your information.
• Review information about skimming on the FBI web page. Skimming is the term used to describe devices being put on card readers to steal your information.

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