SNAP benefits are flowing again after the government shutdown has been resolved. But, that means fraudsters are back to work, too.
EBT/SNAP cards are especially vulnerable to illegal card skimming machines. In most states, swiping your card is the only way to redeem SNAP benefits. California is currently the only state with the more secure chip cards.
A thief can grab your card number from a skimming machine the same way they steal credit card information. Once they have your information, benefits meant for you are put onto new cards. The thieves then make large purchases and resell the items for their own profit.
“New York State needs to show the same urgency protecting SNAP recipients as it does warning about scams,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano. “It’s unacceptable that SNAP cards still lack the basic chip security every modern credit and debit card has, leaving families vulnerable to theft and fraud.”
There is a bill in the NY Senate and Assembly that would mandate EBT cards use chip technology, but it has not advanced out of committee. And, the federal government announced in late September that chipped SNAP EBT cards will be rolling out in additional states soon.
As of October 1, 2025, applications for stolen SNAP benefits will no longer be accepted. Federal authorization to replace stolen SNAP benefits ended on December 20, 2024. Congress ended the federal reimbursement program in December 2024, meaning local agencies can issue replacement cards, but not replace the stolen money.
There are things you can do to protect your benefits from theft. Change your PIN frequently; look closely at card readers before swiping; and reporting suspicious devices immediately. If you think your SNAP benefits were stolen, contact Social Services to report the theft and request a replacement EBT card.