Virginia officials say fake texts and calls claim an EBT purchase was declined, a trick that could expose your card details and your family's food benefits.
The Virginia Department of Social Services says scammers are sending fake texts and making calls to people who use an EBT card. The messages claim a purchase was declined or that something suspicious happened on the card. The department's advice is simple: do not reply, and do not call the number in the message.
An EBT card is the card that delivers SNAP food benefits. The fake texts name a store and a dollar amount to look real. One example says an order of $44.15 at Walmart was declined. Another says $34.15 at "W-STR" was declined. Both ask you to reply Y if the purchase was yours, or call 1-866-202-4567 if not. That number belongs to the scammers. A third version only says there was unusual activity and asks you to confirm a transaction.
The goal appears to be getting you to hand over personal, financial or EBT card information. Replying or calling is how that starts. If a scammer gets your card details, your family's food benefits are at risk.
The alert box above lists the steps. The key point is to check your account only through the official EBT customer service line, 1-866-281-2448. The department also lists an EBT team email, ask.EBT@dss.virginia.gov, and a fraud team email, Ask.fraud@dss.virginia.gov.
The report does not say how many people received the messages or whether anyone lost money. It also does not say who is behind them. Expect the wording, store names and amounts to change, so treat any unexpected text about your EBT card with the same caution.
If a text says your EBT card was declined, do not reply or call it. Call 1-866-281-2448 to check your account.
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