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Scam alert

Call or Text Asks for Your EBT Card Number and PIN? It's a Scam

Updated · First posted

New York, Pennsylvania and San Diego County · x.com/PAHumanServices · Arrives by a phone call or a text message

The short answer

A call or text that asks for your EBT card number or PIN, or says an EBT purchase was declined and gives you a number to call or a reply to send, is a scam. On October 22, 2026, Virginia's Department of Social Services warned of fake messages like this sent to SNAP and EBT households. New York's Cattaraugus County says recertification notices come by mail and the card number and PIN are not needed to recertify. Don't reply or call the number in the message. Call the number on the back of your EBT card.

What is happening

On October 22, 2026, the Virginia Department of Social Services warned that fake texts and calls to SNAP and EBT recipients claim an EBT transaction was declined or that suspicious activity was found and tell people to reply or call a number to verify, in an attempt to get personal, financial and EBT card information, WSET and Rocktown Now reported. In August 2026, New York's Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services said SNAP recipients had reported calls and texts asking for their EBT card number and PIN to complete or verify recertification, and that stolen card information had been used to clone cards and take benefits. In September 2026, Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services reminded people on its official X account that it will never call or text to request personal information, and the County of San Diego warned of texts and social media messages asking for photos of EBT cards and for PINs or full Social Security numbers.

How to recognize it

  • A call or text asks for your EBT card number or PIN to complete or verify a SNAP recertification.
  • It says an EBT purchase was declined or that there is suspicious activity on your card, and asks you to reply or call to verify.
  • It says you must act right away or your benefits will be stopped.
  • It gives you a number to call back.
  • It asks for a photo of your EBT card or for your full Social Security number.

What to do instead

  1. Hang up or don't reply, and don't call back a number from the message.
  2. Never give your EBT PIN to anyone who calls or texts, even someone who says they work for the benefits office.
  3. Check your SNAP case with your local social services office on a number you look up, and call the number on the back of your EBT card for card questions. In Virginia, EBT customer service is 1-866-281-2448.
  4. If you want to tell someone, the rule is: nobody who calls or texts gets your EBT PIN.

If it already happened

Responding to one of these is common and understandable. These steps are what people usually take next.

  1. Sharing card details with a convincing caller is common and understandable. These messages use official-sounding language and push you to act fast.
  2. Change your PIN and lock your card right away. Cattaraugus County points people to the ebtEDGE website or app, which can lock the card.
  3. Tell your local social services office. In Pennsylvania, call the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477). In San Diego County, call the Access Customer Service Call Center at 1-866-262-9881. Anywhere, you can report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Common questions

Do I need my EBT card number or PIN to recertify for SNAP?
No, according to the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services. It says the card number and PIN are not part of your SNAP case information and are not required for recertification, and that your local office will never ask for your PIN.
Would the benefits office text me to ask for my details?
Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services says it will never call or text to request personal information, and the County of San Diego says it will never text asking you to reply with personal information. A message asking for your card number, PIN, or Social Security number is the place to stop.

Practice this safely

Practice ending a call that asks for a card number or PIN, then checking with the office on a number you looked up yourself.

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Tell someone

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Call or Text Asks for Your EBT Card Number and PIN? It's a Scam

A call or text that asks for your EBT card number or PIN, or says an EBT purchase was declined and gives you a number to call or a reply to send, is a scam. On October 22, 2026, Virginia's Department of Social Services warned of fake messages like this sent to SNAP and EBT households. New York's Cattaraugus County says recertification notices come by mail and the card number and PIN are not needed to recertify. Don't reply or call the number in the message. Call the number on the back of your EBT card.

Read the full alert: https://endscamsproject.com/latest-scams/snap-ebt-recertification-pin-scam

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This alert provides general educational information drawn from the sources above. It cannot determine whether a specific message you received is genuine, investigate an incident, or promise recovery or reimbursement.

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