Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits are provided through electronic benefits transfer cards. These are commonly called EBT cards.

EBT cards work like a prepaid debit card and have many of the same protections. But they also come with some risk just like other payment methods.

Below are some tips to keep your EBT card and your SNAP benefit dollars safe.

3 ways to avoid EBT card scams

  1. Do not share your secret personal identification number (PIN) with anyone. Only share with household members or someone you've identified as a trusted caregiver that does your grocery shopping for you.
  2. Change your PIN regularly. EBT card scammers cannot use a stolen PIN to make purchases if you change it.
  3. Check your EBT account balance regularly for unauthorized charges. In one Ohio county, more than 100 cases of card skimming resulted in $130,000 worth of SNAP benefits being stolen from people's accounts. You can be proactive by checking to see if someone else has used your EBT card.

Steps you can take if your SNAP benefits are stolen from your EBT card

  1. Change your PIN right away. If you do see charges that you or a member of your household didn't make, your first step is to change your PIN right away. This will keep scammers from using your card again.
  2. Report the SNAP fraud. Once you've done that, contact your local SNAP office to report the fraud.

What if I experience discrimination while using my SNAP EBT card?

When shopping with your EBT card, you have the right to be treated like any other customer. Unfortunately, EBT card discrimination does happen.

If you feel you have been treated differently by a cashier, manager, or other shoppers for using your SNAP EBT card at a store, you can and should file a complaint with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Where can I learn more about SNAP and EBT cards?

Older adults living alone receive an average SNAP benefit of $188 each month—that's $2,256 per year.1 These food assistance beneits can make it easier to stock your kitchen with fresh, healthy foods.

You can find out more about SNAP benefits, including information on how to apply, on this website. Click here and enter your ZIP code. If you're still unsure about what to do, you can reach out to a Benefits Enrollment Center (if there's one near you) to get help applying. 

Source

1. USDA. Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2023. April 2025. Found on the internet at https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-FY23-Characteristics-Report.pdf