How Can I Keep My EBT Card Secure?

Phishing and spam attacks are on the rise in South Carolina, targeting EBT recipients. These scams appear in many forms, including deceptive text messages and tampered card readers at stores. Recognizing these threats is the first step toward protecting your benefits from theft.

How EBT Benefits Are Stolen

Thieves use several sophisticated methods to steal EBT funds. The most common threats are electronic, involving either digital scams or physical devices.

Criminals often install illegal skimming devices on store payment terminals. These overlays, sometimes paired with hidden cameras, capture your card data and PIN, which is then used to create cloned cards and drain your account. Phishing is another frequent tactic. You might receive a text message or a pre-recorded call claiming your card is locked, directing you to a fake website or phone number to steal your card details. Government agencies will never contact you to ask for your card number or PIN.

What To Do If Your Benefits Are Stolen

If you find that your benefits have been stolen, you must act quickly. Replacement of stolen SNAP benefits is limited and does not apply to TANF or other EBT Cash funds. Reimbursement is only possible for SNAP benefits stolen between October 1, 2022, and December 20, 2024, due to federal rules.

Follow these steps immediately after noticing any unauthorized transactions:

1. Call the South Carolina EBT customer service line at 1-800-554-5268 to cancel your card.

2. File a report with your local police department to document the theft.

3. If your loss qualifies, you must submit an affidavit form within 30 days of discovering the theft. You can find the required form on the stolen benefit replacement page.

Other Common Issues with EBT Cards and How to Resolve Them

Beyond security threats, several other issues can prevent you from using your EBT card. From a declined transaction at checkout to a delayed benefit deposit, knowing the cause and the correct steps to take can resolve these problems quickly and without stress.

Card Declined at the Register

A declined card at checkout can happen for several reasons. It could be a simple mistake like an incorrect PIN, or there may not be enough benefits to cover the purchase. The issue might also be with the items themselves if some are not SNAP-eligible.

Other causes can be technical. A worn magnetic stripe or chip can fail to read, or the store’s payment processor might be temporarily offline.

• First, confirm your balance. You can check it with an app like Benny, on the ConnectEBT website, by calling 1-800-554-5268, or by looking at your last store receipt.

• Carefully re-enter your PIN. Three incorrect attempts will lock your card for 24 hours.

• Ask the cashier to separate SNAP-eligible groceries from other items and try the transaction again.

• If the card is physically worn, wipe the magnetic stripe with a soft cloth. If it still doesn’t work, you will need to order a replacement.

• If the store’s payment system is down, you may need to try another checkout lane or visit a different store.

Benefits Not Showing Up on the Expected Date

If your benefits have not been deposited on the usual day, it is often due to a misunderstanding of the payment schedule. South Carolina issues benefits between the 1st and 19th of each month, based on the last digit of your SNAP case number.

A delay can also occur if a required interim or recertification packet is incomplete. Missing information can temporarily pause your case until the required documents are submitted.

• Confirm your specific deposit date by checking the official SNAP issuance calendar for South Carolina.

• Check your balance using your preferred method before making any calls.

• If you recently submitted an interim report, confirm it was accepted and that no further information, like income stubs, is needed.

• If a full business day has passed since your scheduled deposit date and the funds are still missing, call the DSS Client Services line at 800-616-1309. You can find other contact methods on the DSS website.

Card Lost, Damaged, or Demagnetized

EBT cards can stop working from normal wear and tear, such as a demagnetized stripe, or from accidental damage like being bent or washed. It is also easy to simply misplace your card.

• As soon as you realize your card is lost or unusable, call the EBT customer service line at 1-800-554-5268. Report the card as lost or damaged to request a replacement, which immediately deactivates the old card to protect your funds.

• Confirm your mailing address with the agent to prevent delays. A new card typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days.

• You will not be able to access your benefits while you wait for the new card to arrive.

• Once you receive the replacement, you must activate it and create a new PIN by phone or through the ConnectEBT portal.