Scammed? what to do

Report stolen SNAP benefits

Last updated September 19, 2026

The short answer

Report skimmed EBT benefits to your state, and the replacement rule that changed

There is a hard fact to know first. Federal authority to replace stolen SNAP benefits expired on 20 December 2024. Benefits stolen on or after 21 December 2024 cannot be replaced with federal funds. Reporting still matters, but replacement no longer follows.

What they handle

  • EBT card skimming at ATMs and store card readers
  • Cloned EBT cards used at SNAP-authorised stores
  • Texts and calls claiming to be about your SNAP case
  • Benefits drained shortly after they land

How to file a report

  1. 1

    Contact your state SNAP agency

    Stolen benefits are reported to the state that issued them. The USDA keeps a state directory for finding yours.

  2. 2

    Change your PIN straight away

    A skimmed card is only useful with the PIN. Changing it is the step that stops the next withdrawal, and it is worth doing before benefits land each month.

  3. 3

    Understand what skimming is

    Thieves fit an illegal device to an ATM or a store card reader to copy your card. They then make a fake card and spend your benefits at SNAP-authorised stores.

  4. 4

    Check the replacement rule for your dates

    All states were approved to replace benefits stolen between 1 October 2022 and 20 December 2024 with federal funds. Anything stolen after that is not eligible.

What you'll need

  • Your EBT card number and case number
  • The dates and amounts taken
  • Where you last used the card

What to expect

Your state investigates and reports skimming data to the USDA. Replacement depends entirely on when the theft happened, and the federal route closed at the end of 2024.

Frequently asked questions

My benefits were stolen this month. Will they be replaced?

Not with federal funds. That authority expired on 20 December 2024. Some states have their own arrangements, so ask your state agency directly.

Company guide

SNAP and EBT Benefits scams

Knowing which scam you were hit by makes the report better. This is how scams impersonating SNAP and EBT Benefits actually work, what the company will never ask you for, and the warning signs to recognise next time.

Read the guide →