The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is warning those who rely on food assistance through the federal SNAP program of an ongoing scam.
In a post on Facebook, the agency said that some SNAP users have been getting calls saying that their benefits are on hold until they can verify their eligibility. The caller then asks them to provide their PIN number.
This, the agency said, is a scam, as the DHS will never ask for any personal information via an unsolicited text, email or phone call.
The department warns SNAP users to not respond to any calls from the following numbers:
- 888-239-7710
- 888-272-8720
- 888-737-6551
About 2 million Pennsylvania residents that use SNAP run the risk of not getting their benefits starting Saturday due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday joined roughly two dozen other Democratic-led states in suing the Trump administration to get emergency funding for food assistance programs.
The state Department of Human Services advises SNAP users to always have their EBT card with them when shopping.
Users should also not share their PIN number with others and be sure to change the number at least once a month.
Other ways to avoid scams include:
- Only use your card on legitimate, secure sites and apps that accept EBT cards.
- Create strong and unique passwords for your accounts.
- Don’t make online purchases when connected to public Wi-Fi.
- Be wary of emails or texts that request payment, transfers, or personal information, especially if they demand immediate action.
- Never give out your account information over the phone, in email, or via text messages.
SNAP users should report any suspicious texts or calls by calling the DHS fraud tip line at 844-347-8477.
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