How Can I Keep My EBT Card Secure?

Phishing and spam attacks are increasingly common in Nebraska, targeting EBT recipients with sophisticated scams. These fraudulent attempts can appear in many forms, from text messages to physical devices at stores. Knowing how to spot these schemes is the first line of defense in protecting your benefits.

How EBT Benefits Are Stolen

Thieves use both physical and digital methods to gain unauthorized access to EBT accounts. The most common hardware attacks involve criminals attaching “skimmers” or overlays to store or ATM card readers, a method detailed in recent EBT card scam warnings. These devices illegally copy your card’s magnetic stripe data and capture your PIN as you type it.

Remote scams are also on the rise. You might receive a text message or phone call claiming your account is locked to trick you into revealing your card number and PIN. Fraudulent emails often contain links that look official but lead to fake websites designed to steal your login information.

Other red flags include social media posts promising extra food credits for a fee, third-party apps that require your full card details, and QR codes that direct you to counterfeit portals.

What To Do If Your Benefits Are Stolen

If your SNAP benefits are stolen electronically through scams like skimming or phishing, Nebraska may offer a replacement. The state will reimburse SNAP funds stolen on or after October 1, 2022, with credits issued to a new card in about 10 days. Households can receive up to two reimbursements per federal fiscal year, and the replacement is limited to the amount that was stolen.

To file a claim, you must report the theft within 30 days of its discovery. Follow these steps to report the fraud:

1. Contact the Nebraska EBT hotline at 1-877-247-6328 or ACCESSNebraska to file a claim.

2. Sign an affidavit to confirm the details of the theft.

3. Change your PIN and accept a new card to protect your account from further misuse.

Other Common Issues with EBT Cards and How to Resolve Them

Beyond security threats, everyday issues can disrupt access to your EBT funds. From benefits not appearing on schedule to a damaged card, knowing the right steps to take can resolve these problems quickly and restore your purchasing power.

Monthly Benefits Don’t Show Up

Many cardholders expect their benefits to load after midnight on their issue date but find a zero balance instead. This often happens if a required Six-Month Review or annual recertification is incomplete, putting the case into a “pending” status.

An unreported change in income, address, or household size can also cause the system to suspend the case. In other instances, the benefit date may have shifted after a late recertification.

• Log into the ACCESSNebraska dashboard to check for alerts or a “Next Review Due” notice, then complete the review or upload the requested documents.

• For phone assistance, call Economic Assistance at 800-383-4278 or visit a local Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) office.

• Once the missing paperwork is accepted, benefits typically post within one business day.

Card Is Damaged, Demagnetized, or Lost

Physical wear and tear can make an EBT card unusable. Excessive heat, bending, or friction from being carried in a wallet can erase the magnetic stripe. Sometimes, older point-of-sale terminals simply cannot read a worn chip or stripe, leading to transaction failures.

• Call Nebraska EBT Customer Service at 800-383-4278 and request a replacement. The automated system will confirm your address and cancel the old card.

• A new card typically arrives by mail in five to seven calendar days. If you need it sooner, you can ask to pick one up at a local DHHS office.

• While you wait for the new card, you can still check your benefit information, but you cannot make purchases until the replacement is activated.

Balance Appears Lower Than Expected

Confusion about your EBT balance can arise from unposted transactions, duplicate swipes that are later voided, or misreading a store receipt. Before assuming an error, it is best to confirm your current balance through an official channel.

• Look at the bottom of your last store receipt, which usually prints your remaining balance.

• Dial 800-383-4278 and follow the voice prompts for an automated balance inquiry.

• Log in to the ACCESSNebraska portal for real-time balances and a transaction history stretching back 15 months.

• Use a mobile app like Benny, which connects to your account to show your SNAP and EBT Cash balance and offers grocery cash-back rewards.

Handy Bookmarks

• ACCESSNebraska & iServe Nebraska portal: Apply for benefits, report changes, and see balances.

• Benefit Inquiry page: An official resource from Nebraska EBT Customer Service.

• Benny app: For mobile balance checks and rewards.

• Allpoint ATM locator: Find surcharge-free ATMs.

• MoneyPass ATM locator: Another network for finding surcharge-free ATMs.