Residents in the region are being alerted about a fresh text message fraud using EBT cards, which are used to disperse government benefits like food aid, especially the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
According to the Iowa Attorney General’s office spokesperson Ashlee Kieler, the texts may appear credible.
Food Stamp Fraud Scheme
SNAP benefots, also known as food stamps, is one of the government programs that is distributed using these cards.
Both agencies have heard from Iowans who claim to have received texts saying their EBT cards have been locked. A phone number to call for assistance is provided in the messages. This correspondence was not sent by Iowa HHS.
There is no evidence that EBT or SNAP families are being specifically targeted; instead, scammers send texts to thousands of random phone numbers at once. Also, the local police department should receive a report from anyone who has fallen victim to an EBT scam.
Tips To Prevent SNAP Benefits Scam
You can report a spam text message you received regarding an EBT card that has been locked to the Federal Trade Commission by clicking here.
To prevent being a target of spam text messages, Iowans can follow these recommendations from the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division:
- Any unsolicited messages should not be responded to or linked to.
- Never reply to spam text messages, not even to request that they stop calling you. Responding confirms that your phone is active and that you are ready to read messages, which could result in an increase in unsolicited text messages.
- Text messages that request confirmation or private information should be deleted immediately.
- If you believe the message to be genuine, don’t use the company’s contact information in the message; instead, use a phone number or website that you are confident is legitimate.
Read more: Washington Food Stamps: Where To Get SNAP Benefit Discounts?
