SNAP and TANF Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Skimming Prevention– Tools and Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) are aware of increasing reports of benefit theft by criminal actors through EBT card skimming schemes. These agencies also understand the devastating impact the loss of benefits can have on participating households. FNS and ACF strongly encourage states to use fraud prevention options by informing and enabling SNAP and TANF households to opt into card security services that proactively protect their cards and PINs. This resource identifies prevention measures that can be adopted to improve card security while working towards longer-term strategies. Included in the resource are two appendices: Appendix A references a list of card security services for client households, and Appendix B offers a recommended list of actions state agencies can take to protect clients.