SNAP recipients hit with skimming devices, PIN action encouraged

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) is alerting SNAP recipients to change their card PINs before benefits are issued on November 1.

OHS officials confirm over the weekend, law enforcement agents discovered and removed nine skimming devices from various convenience and grocery stores in the Oklahoma City metro area. Additionally authorities say, skimming devices were discovered over the past several weeks in Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro area, Blanchard and Enid.

Due to an ongoing investigation, OHS alongside the Office of Inspector General is encouraging Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to change their card PINs before benefits are issued on November 1.

Recipients can change their PIN by calling 1-888-328-6551 or visiting connectEBT.com. In visiting the site, recipients can read about additional safety measures to secure their benefits.

“We are seeing an unfortunate increase in the usage of skimming devices and card cloning across the nation, including in Oklahoma, and want to encourage all Oklahomans, not just SNAP recipients, to use precautionary measures when making transactions. "We encourage our clients to take swift action to secure their accounts before their November benefits are issued.”

Mike Adams, Law Enforcement Agent V, Oklahoma Human Services Office of Inspector General

According to the agency, monthly activity showed less than 200 requests were made for replacement of benefits due to skimming, cloning or phishing. Over the past month, the agency affirmed it received nearly 10,000 requests for card replacements.

As the investigation continues with authorities, individuals are urged to remain vigilant in protecting their benefit cards with the following suggested safety tips:

• Never share your card information or give your card to someone else.
• Choose PINs that are hard to guess and never use PINs like 1111, 1234, etc. If you have an easy to guess PIN, change it immediately by calling 1-888-328-6551 or visiting connectebt.com.
• Download the ConnectEBT app on your Android or Smartphone device. This app allows you to view your available SNAP benefits, lock your SNAP card between purchases, change your PIN, and monitor transactions to ensure that your SNAP benefits have not been stolen.
• Lock your SNAP card between purchases using the ConnectEBT app to ensure you have access to your card only when you need it.
• Never respond to text messages or phone calls asking for your card information. These are scams! Oklahoma Human Services will NEVER call or text you and ask for your Social Security number or PIN or tell you your card has been “locked” or “placed on hold.”
• Check the card readers at the checkout counter to ensure they haven’t been tampered with. Use mobile SNAP payments, where available, to reduce the risk for skimming and other fraud.

The ConnectEBT app can be downloaded on any smart phone device and can also be accessed online at ConnectEBT.com. For assistance logging into your ConnectEBT account, call OKDHSLive at (405) 522-5050.

Current SNAP recipients who have lost benefits due to fraud can apply for stolen benefit replacement through Dec. 20, 2024.

Claims can be submitted in the following ways:

• by phone at 405-522-5050
• in-person at a Human Services Center, or
• by mail to Oklahoma Human Services, SNAP, PO Box 25352, Oklahoma City, OK 73125

OHS says recipients should expect a launch of chip-enabled cards next summer increasing the security for cardholders.