Protect yourself from EBT card fraud with these tips
Since the pandemic, Colorado Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders have seen an increase in fraud with their EBT cards and public benefits.
Although precautions are in place, Colorado EBT cards have still been accessed by fraudsters to steal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other cash benefits. Unfortunately, benefits cannot be given back to the true cardholder when the EBT card and PIN are used together. You can keep your EBT card safe through a couple of easy steps:
- Change the card’s PIN often. The PIN protects your benefits on the EBT card.
- Use the “freeze” card option through the ebtEDGE mobile app or Cardholder Portal. Freeze and unfreeze the EBT card in seconds. The freeze will stop any financial transactions.
- Think about direct deposit for cash benefits. Those who receive the Adult Financial or Colorado Works cash benefit can have benefits deposited to a personal bank account.
- File an incident report with local law enforcement in the event an EBT card is compromised.
For more information or to report possible fraud, visit the Recovery & Fraud webpage.
Recovery & Fraud Investigation Unit
970-498-7635
recovery@larimer.org