Did you go food shopping and learn you had less or no SNAP?
Thieves may have stolen your SNAP benefits by "skimming" your EBT card information or “phishing” for your account information.
Skimming happens when thieves put a device on or in an ATM or store’s card-swiping machine to copy card and PIN information. The thief can then use your benefits without your permission.
“Phishing” is when thieves pretend they are from DTA and ask you for personal information. This includes your EBT card number, PIN, Social Security Number, or account login information. Thieves may call, text, or email you.
DTA will never ask you for your EBT card number, your PIN, or your DTAConnect login information. Do not reply if you think it may be a scam. Learn more at Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT. If you still have questions, call DTA to check: 877-382-2363 or 833-602-9247.
Report it to DTA
Report stolen SNAP benefits to DTA in one of these ways:
- Online: Fill out DTA’s online claim form.
- Phone: Call the DTA Stolen Benefits Line 833-602-9247, or DTA Assistance Line 877-382-2363, to submit your claim (make sure you reach a worker and do a signature over the phone)
- Paper form: Print and fill out the printed form and mail to:
DTA Program Integrity
Fraud Investigation Unit
P.O. Box 4411
Taunton, MA 02780-0435
You can also fax the form to (617) 348-5479. You can also always bring the paper form in person to a local DTA office.
DTA may not replace stolen SNAP benefits. Congress ended replacement with federal dollars for SNAP stolen on or after December 21, 2024. Contact MLRI through this form if your SNAP was stolen on or after December 21, 2024.
Change your PIN
Make a new PIN for your EBT card right away. Call the EBT Customer Service number on the back of your card — 800-997-2555 — to set up a new PIN. You do not need to get a new card.
If you can, change your PIN after each time you use your card.
Lock your EBT card on DTA Connect
You can use DTA Connect to lock and unlock your EBT card.
Locking your card protects your SNAP from theft during the time that the card is locked. If you lock your EBT card, nobody, including you or other people in your household, can spend your SNAP.
You can unlock your card whenever you want. It is best to unlock it on DTA Connect when you are ready to spend your SNAP, like when you are at the store or in the checkout line. For step-by-step instructions on how to do this, including videos and infographics in multiple languages, visit Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT.
Please consider sharing your story with us through this stolen SNAP benefits story collection form. By sharing your experience, you can help us work for better card security and replacement policies. We will not share any information you give us without your permission.
Maybe. Congress stopped replacing stolen SNAP with federal dollars for SNAP stolen on or after December 21, 2024. Please tell MLRI using this form if your SNAP was stolen on or after December 21.
DTA should replace cash benefits that are stolen due to EBT skimming.
If you are having trouble getting DTA to replace your stolen benefits and would like help, please contact MLRI using this form.
Skimming, phishing, and other types of theft can affect anyone. In general, it is very hard to see or know if a thief has installed a skimming device on an ATM or point-of-sale device. To learn more about skimming, phishing, and how to protect your DTA benefits, see DTA’s website:
- Visit Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT.
- En español: Mass.gov/ProtejaSuEBT.
Here are some ways you can protect against theft:
- Change your PIN often. If you can, it is safest to change your PIN after every time you use your EBT card.
- Avoid self-checkout at stores. Self-checkout payment terminals may be more likely to be tampered with.
- Lock your EBT card when you are not using it. You can lock your card using the DTA Connect mobile app or on DTAConnect.com, and unlock it again on DTA Connect when you are ready to make a purchase. Visit Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT for instructions.
- DTA will never ask for your EBT card number or your PIN. Never give anyone your PIN or EBT card number over the phone or by text or email.
- If you get TAFDC or EAEDC and have a bank account, talk to DTA about depositing your cash benefits into your bank account instead of your EBT card.
Skimming happens when thieves put a device on or in an ATM or store’s card-swiping machine to copy card and PIN information. The thief can then use your benefits without your permission.
“Phishing” is when thieves pretend they are from DTA and ask you for personal information. This includes your EBT card number, PIN, Social Security Number, or account login information. Thieves may call, text, or email you.
DTA will never ask you for your EBT card number, your PIN, or your DTAConnect login information. Do not reply if you think it may be a scam. Learn more at Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT. If you still have questions, call DTA to check: 877-382-2363 or 833-602-9247.
Report it to DTA
Report stolen SNAP benefits to DTA in one of these ways:
- Online: Fill out DTA’s online claim form.
- Phone: Call the DTA Stolen Benefits Line 833-602-9247, or DTA Assistance Line 877-382-2363, to submit your claim (make sure you reach a worker and do a signature over the phone)
- Paper form: Print and fill out the printed form and mail to:
DTA Program Integrity
Fraud Investigation Unit
P.O. Box 4411
Taunton, MA 02780-0435
You can also fax the form to (617) 348-5479. You can also always bring the paper form in person to a local DTA office.
DTA may not replace stolen SNAP benefits. Congress ended replacement with federal dollars for SNAP stolen on or after December 21, 2024. Contact MLRI through this form if your SNAP was stolen on or after December 21, 2024.
Change your PIN
Make a new PIN for your EBT card right away. Call the EBT Customer Service number on the back of your card — 800-997-2555 — to set up a new PIN. You do not need to get a new card.
If you can, change your PIN after each time you use your card.
Lock your EBT card on DTA Connect
You can use DTA Connect to lock and unlock your EBT card.
Locking your card protects your SNAP from theft during the time that the card is locked. If you lock your EBT card, nobody, including you or other people in your household, can spend your SNAP.
You can unlock your card whenever you want. It is best to unlock it on DTA Connect when you are ready to spend your SNAP, like when you are at the store or in the checkout line. For step-by-step instructions on how to do this, including videos and infographics in multiple languages, visit Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT.
Please consider sharing your story with us through this stolen SNAP benefits story collection form. By sharing your experience, you can help us work for better card security and replacement policies. We will not share any information you give us without your permission.
Maybe. Congress stopped replacing stolen SNAP with federal dollars for SNAP stolen on or after December 21, 2024. Please tell MLRI using this form if your SNAP was stolen on or after December 21.
DTA should replace cash benefits that are stolen due to EBT skimming.
If you are having trouble getting DTA to replace your stolen benefits and would like help, please contact MLRI using this form.
Skimming, phishing, and other types of theft can affect anyone. In general, it is very hard to see or know if a thief has installed a skimming device on an ATM or point-of-sale device. To learn more about skimming, phishing, and how to protect your DTA benefits, see DTA’s website:
- Visit Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT.
- En español: Mass.gov/ProtejaSuEBT.
Here are some ways you can protect against theft:
- Change your PIN often. If you can, it is safest to change your PIN after every time you use your EBT card.
- Avoid self-checkout at stores. Self-checkout payment terminals may be more likely to be tampered with.
- Lock your EBT card when you are not using it. You can lock your card using the DTA Connect mobile app or on DTAConnect.com, and unlock it again on DTA Connect when you are ready to make a purchase. Visit Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT for instructions.
- DTA will never ask for your EBT card number or your PIN. Never give anyone your PIN or EBT card number over the phone or by text or email.
- If you get TAFDC or EAEDC and have a bank account, talk to DTA about depositing your cash benefits into your bank account instead of your EBT card.