Protecting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)

Protecting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Cards and Benefits:
Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) clients have been the target of benefit theft through skimming, in which thieves put a device on a store’s card-swiping machine to copy card information. To protect clients from skimming, DTA is requiring cardholders in locations with a high incidence of skimming (Eastern Massachusetts) to set a new PIN to use their EBT over the next few weeks and is encouraging all clients to change their PIN regularly. Cardholders can change their PIN through automated steps by calling the number on the back of their card, as outlined in this flyer. More information and steps on how to change a PIN are available at Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT and Mass.gov/ProtejaSuEBT, and outreach materials are available in 11 languages.