MEADVILLE TRIBUNE
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead on Monday advised Pennsylvanians of a potential phishing scam texting people that their EBT card is locked. Pennsylvanians should not reply or share any personal information if they are contacted in this manner.
DHS and other government agencies do not and will not send text alerts regarding Electronic Benefits Transfer, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or any other public assistance programs.
“There are always people who will try to take advantage of others who may need help meeting essential needs, but please remember that DHS will never contact any of our benefit recipients via text,” Snead said. “If you have received unsolicited or random calls or text messages telling you that your benefits are in jeopardy and asking you for personal information, it is most likely a scam. Please be aware that these are scams. Do not respond and delete the message so you do not get caught in identity theft.”
The United States Department of Agriculture publishes information about potential SNAP scams, but Pennsylvanians should always be aware of the threat of phishing schemes through unsolicited calls and text messages. Residents who have questions about whether a call, text, letter or other…
