The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office is warning residents about a growing wave of scams targeting recipients of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. These scams are leaving vulnerable Arkansans without access to critical funds needed to buy groceries.
According to officials, scammers are stealing EBT card information and quickly spending the funds in other states before recipients even realize their benefits are gone. Common methods used by fraudsters include skimming devices placed on card readers, impersonating government officials, and phishing through fake emails or text messages.
To protect against fraud, recipients are urged to:
- Protect their PIN by never sharing it and resetting it monthly.
- Inspect card readers before making purchases.
- Monitor accounts regularly for unauthorized activity.
- Avoid using EBT cards online when possible.
- Be cautious of suspicious texts or emails requesting personal information.
Anyone who suspects they’ve been a victim of EBT theft should report the incident to their local SNAP office, file a police report, notify the Arkansas Department of Human Services at ar.gov/snapfraud, and contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at (501) 682-2007 or arkansasag.gov.
The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to help protect benefits for those who need them most.
