The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) clients have been the target of benefit theft through skimming.  Skimming is a type of theft where thieves put a device on a store's card-swiping machine to copy card information. This information is used to make fake EBT cards. These are then used to steal money or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from real accounts. Skimming can happen anywhere someone swipes an EBT card.

To protect households and their benefits from known skimming scams, DTA is requiring cardholders in locations with a high incidence of skimming (Eastern MA) to set a new PIN to use their EBT over the next few weeks. DTA gave cardholders prior notification and is providing special outreach to residents with a need for certain accommodations, older adults, new arrivals, and survivors of domestic violence.

All DTA clients are encouraged to change their EBT card PIN before each time they get their benefits to protect against scams. Cardholders can change their PIN through automated steps by calling the number on the back of their card. Attached is a pictorial flyer explaining the steps. 

You can help spread the word about protecting EBT cards and benefits through flyers and social media graphics (available in 11 languages):

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/protect-your-ebt-benefits-outreach-materials

More information and steps on how to change a PIN are available at http://mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT and http://mass.gov/ProtejaSuEBT.