SNAP recipients encouraged to protect their PIN

Over the past few weeks, the MDHS Office of Inspector General has reported an increase in reports of stolen SNAP benefits across Mississippi and specifically near the state line.

Following instructions from our federal partners, we can no longer replace stolen SNAP benefits. The Mississippi Department of Human Services reminds SNAP clients to take immediate steps to protect their SNAP benefits.

It is important to change your PIN after each use. MDHS has put together a video tutorial explaining how to change your PIN from your mobile device or you can download the attached PDF

Here are some additional tips to safeguard your card from benefit theft:

• Change your PIN the night before your benefits are loaded each month.
• Keep your PIN secret. Do not share your PIN with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
• Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If your EBT card has been compromised, call the Mississippi EBT card holder service center at 1-866-512-5087 as soon as possible to report the card as compromised. This will deactivate the card and send a new card to the account holder.
• Check card reading machines to make sure there’s nothing suspicious overlayed or attached to the card swiper or keypad.

Criminals are working quicky to steal benefits. In a matter of minutes, they can gain access to your card number and PIN and send it to anywhere in the country where it can be immediately used online.

MDHS is working with our vendor to enhance security solutions to protect our client’s benefits. Additionally, we are working with local and state law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute the criminals that prey upon Mississippi’s neediest resident.

Continuing to report stolen benefits to the Office of Inspector General fraud hotline at 1-800-299-6905 can help with ongoing investigations.