DHS reminds Pennsylvania residents to watch for skimming devices that steal your information

(WJET/WFXP) – DHS is sending a reminder to Pennsylvania residents who receive SNAP benefits and use EBT cards.

Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), reminded Pennsylvania residents who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to be careful when using their EBT cards and to protect their information to avoid becoming victims of skimming.

Skimming is when a fraudster uses a device at a point-of-sale (POS) machine or ATM to read a card’s magnetic stripe, collect the data, and create a cloned card.

In a news release Thursday, DHS said the department is aware of reports of SNAP benefit theft in Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania due to card skimming devices, but the problem could affect the entire state.

The reports were forwarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, which oversees the SNAP program and its retailers across the country.

“DHS takes fraud prevention seriously and works diligently to ensure that the benefits DHS administers benefit the people of Pennsylvania who need them. Please do not fall victim to identity theft. Be sure to check a card reader before swiping your card, and if you ever suspect a card reader is attached to a device, please notify the company and call the DHS Fraud Reporting Line immediately,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of PA DHS.

The FBI recommends checking POS devices when using them to make sure nothing is loose or unusual. Pull on the edges of the keypad before entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your other hand so cameras don’t capture your number. Use ATMs in well-lit locations, use credit and debit cards with chip technology as they are less likely to have data stolen, and watch for skimming devices in tourist areas.

“The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) remains vigilant against these scams, and we encourage the public to do the same. Scams that prey on Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens are unacceptable and must be stopped. We hope Pennsylvanians will join us by remaining vigilant, continuing to protect their personal information, and promptly reporting any attempts to steal benefits to OSIG. We will continue to work with our state and federal partners to put an end to these predatory practices,” said Lucas M. Miller, state Inspector General.

DHS advises EBT card users not to use third-party apps to check their account balances. You can check your account balance and request a replacement card through Conduent, DHS’s EBT contractor, at (888) 328-7366.

Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to report potential skimming activity by calling the DHS Fraud Tip Line at (844) 347-8477 or by submitting a report through the OSIG website here.