The Department of Children and Family Services is urging recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Pandemic EBT benefits to monitor their purchases and consider resetting their PINs after possible card skimmer activity occurred in Sabine Parish this week.
While the theft of benefits appears to be relatively isolated at this time, the joint investigation with law enforcement is ongoing.
Out of an abundance of caution, given that many people are doing holiday meal shopping this week, DCFS encourages EBT cardholders to take reasonable steps to prevent fraudulent activity on their cards. Those precautions should include: Strengthening the card’s Personal Identification Number (PIN), Monitoring card activity using the LifeInCheck EBT mobile app, and Being cautious when using the card, including checking out the card terminal for potential skimming equipment and shielding their PIN entry from view when making purchases.
Federal food assistance benefits are not reimbursable if stolen, so it is important for cardholders to take all reasonable steps to secure their cards. EBT card PINs should be numbers that cannot be reasonably guessed by someone attempting to fraudulently access benefits.
The LifeInCheck EBT mobile app allows users to review their card activity, including most recent transactions and available balance, as well as reset their PIN. Cardholders may also access this information and reset their PIN by visiting www.LifeInCheckEBT.com or by calling the EBT customer service line at 1-888-997-1117.
