RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has become aware of a potential scam targeting Food and Nutrition Services beneficiaries. Within the last four days, at least 650 Electronic Benefits Transfer cards have been compromised statewide, and more than 7,000 cards have been identified as potentially compromised.
The suspected scammers appear to be targeting FNS beneficiaries by calling or texting them and asking for personal data and/or their PIN numbers, which are being used to steal money from the beneficiaries’ EBT cards.
Out of an abundance of caution, the potentially compromised cards have been cancelled and replacement cards have been issued to beneficiaries of FNS. It can take up to three to seven business days for FNS beneficiaries to receive their new EBT cards.
Replacement benefits for stolen electronic benefits will be issued through a process that will launch on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. FNS beneficiaries who had benefits stolen from their accounts will need to complete, sign and submit the Affidavit of Stolen Benefits, (DSS-8644): Affidavit For Stolen Benefits, to the county DSS agency in order to have their benefits reimbursed.
If you receive email or texts from someone asking for EBT card information or your PIN, please do not respond. Neither county DSS offices nor NCDHHS will ever ask for this information using email or unsecure text message.
As a reminder, NCDHHS recommends that households take the following steps to keep their EBT card/account secure:
