Pennsylvania Urges SNAP Recipients to Change EBT PINs Amid Nationwide Thefts

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of State Inspector General are urging Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to change their EBT card PINs monthly to prevent theft, especially before benefit distributions. This warning comes amidst a rise in nationwide SNAP thefts, particularly through card skimming, where criminals steal EBT card information at point-of-sale machines and wait to drain funds during monthly distributions. Officials recommend checking for unusual devices on card readers, as skimmers may appear bulkier and are often attached with glue or tape. Recipients can change their PINs via phone, online, or through mobile apps, and DHS has implemented enhanced security measures to protect against fraud. If benefits are stolen, recipients are encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement and the state’s fraud hotline. The department is also exploring additional security features, such as card-locking options, to further safeguard SNAP benefits.