Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs today urged New Jerseyans to beware of potential scams targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients facing fear and uncertainty amid the government shutdown.
Scammers impersonating SNAP representatives or other agencies may call or text asking for EBT card numbers and PINs in order to unblock or unlock EBT cards, verify SNAP eligibility, or help recipients obtain SNAP benefits or financial assistance during the government shutdown. They may ask for Social Security numbers and bank account information, and some may require a fee for their assistance. These are all forms of scams aimed at stealing SNAP benefits or personal information. No government agency or SNAP representative will contact recipients unsolicited or ask for private information in a phone call or text, and assistance in obtaining SNAP benefits is always free.
“As the more than 800,000 New Jerseyans dependent on SNAP benefits navigate the current food assistance crisis, we are doing all that we can to protect them from bad actors seeking to access their confidential information or divert their benefits,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “We encourage all SNAP recipients to recognize potential scams and only use the information and assistance resources supported by trusted organizations, starting with https://nj211.org/njsnap.”
“While many people are looking for ways to help individuals fearful of losing the ability to put food on the table amid the government shutdown, scammers are finding ways to exploit the situation for their own financial gain,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We’re raising public awareness of these scams to help New Jersey residents avoid falling victim.”
“Scammers know that people are most vulnerable during times of fear and uncertainty,” said Elizabeth M. Harris, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “We’re urging SNAP recipients in New Jersey to be on the lookout for these scams and providing them with commonsense tips to protect themselves.”
The Division of Consumer Affairs offers the following tips to avoid falling victim to SNAP scams:
- Never share your EBT card number, PIN, or other personal information (like Social Security numbers or bank account information) with anyone you do not know or trust. State agencies and SNAP workers will never ask you for this information over the phone or via text message.
- Anyone you do not know who offers to help you apply for benefits, obtain cash tied to your benefits, or to release funds is a scammer. You can find help applying for SNAP benefits here: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/apply/help/
- Be wary of unexpected phone calls or text messages concerning your SNAP benefits. Never reply to a suspected scammer. If you do not know if a request for information about SNAP is real, contact your county social service agency.
- Check your EBT account regularly tor unauthorized charges. You can check your account at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling 800-997-3333. If you see any unauthorized charges, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases and contact your county social service agency: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/counties/.
- Change your EBT PIN often, at least once a month and right before your next benefits are issued.
- If you think a call, text, email, or letter is a SNAP related scam, report it to your county social service agency.
For more information go to:
- State of New Jersey – https://www.nj.gov/governor/snap/
- NJ Division of Consumer Affairs – https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/
- NJ SNAP – https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/
- Federal Trade Commission – https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/05/protect-your-snap-benefits-illegal-card-skimmers
- U.S. Department of Agriculture – https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/stolen-benefits
