Alabama is warning SNAP recipients about an uptick in scammers targeting their food benefits.
Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have reported an increase in fraudulent phone calls asking for information to “unlock the account,” according to a press release from the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
The scammers ask for personal information such as EBT card numbers and PINs.
There are nearly 375,000 families in Alabama enrolled in SNAP, a program that provides monthly payments to low-income households to help them buy food.
“These thieves are attempting to take advantage of those most in need of assistance by any means at their disposal,” DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said in the release. “It is vital for those receiving benefits to protect their personal information.”
According to DHR, the scammers have been identifying themselves as either working for DHR or EBT Customer Service. The state agency said neither entity will ever call or text to ask for EBT card or personal information for any reason.
In order to better protect yourself against a scam, DHR recommends:
- Never providing personal information to an unfamiliar person or organization.
- If a phone call seems like a scam, hang up without giving any information.
- Beware that scammers often pressure victims to “act now!”
- If an offer or claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Do not trust caller ID. Scammers can use “spoofing” technology to disguise their phone numbers.
- Never give anyone the PIN number for your EBT card.
SNAP recipients can also verify whether a phone call is legitimate by contacting their local DHR office. Contact information is available here.
