SCAM ALERT: City of Charlottesville and VDSS Warn About SNAP and P-EBT Fraudsters

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) are aware of criminal attempts to steal SNAP EBT and P-EBT card information. Protect your benefits by never providing personal information to any unknown source and by changing your card PIN often. Please know that you will never be contacted and asked to provide your EBT or P-EBT card number or PIN. Do not respond to unsolicited texts, emails or phone calls concerning your EBT account. Scammers may attempt to contact you with links to access your account or alerts that your account is locked. VDSS will NEVER contact you through these methods and will only discuss your account through the official EBT Client Customer Service Helpdesk line at 866-281-2448 if you call the helpdesk line. Routinely check your EBT card balance for unauthorized purchases and change your card PIN often. This is one of the best ways to prevent card skimming. You can do both today by: Using the ConnectEBT web portal, or download the mobile app. Get it on Google Play | Download on the Apple App Store Select Virginia EBT from the dropdown. The ConnectEBT app is the fast and easy way to monitor your EBT Card’s available balance, deposits, and transaction activity. Calling Virginia’s EBT Client Customer Service Helpdesk at 866-281-2448 (accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Create a strong password for your client portal account and mobile app. A strong password must: Be at least eight characters long, but no more than 16 characters long, with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, and numbers. Be significantly different from your previous passwords. Be easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess. Not use repeat or consecutive numbers (example 1111, 1234, 4321). Do not give your EBT card, card number, password, or PIN to anyone not authorized to use your card. Virginia EBT will NEVER ask for your EBT card number online or via text. Examine card payment devices for signs of tampering before inserting or swiping your card. More information on how to protect your card before you make a purchase can be found HERE. If you have responded to any unsolicited call, text or website link about your benefits, please immediately contact the Virginia EBT client customer service helpdesk at 1-866-281-2448 and visit our Fraud Reimbursement Funds page.