Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Scamming - Fraud
A lot of California counties, including Contra Costa, have received reports of an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card scam, an attempt to steal benefits. Some EBT cardholders, as well as non-EBT cardholders have received texts that ask for their card number, PIN or other personal information. Please note that text, phone or email methods are not used by the state or EHSD to collect personal information.
EHSD is alerting community members about the EBT scam and instructing them to NOT provide the requested information. If questions arise regarding EBT cards, residents can call (877) 328-9677 or visit MyBenefitsCalWIN.org.
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I received the following text at 1:17 AM 03/14/2022 (Call!-844-524-1934) #EBT Card-Locked. MSG ID:55022699I have never had a EBT card. I didn't call
I received a text:(Call 1-844-544-6015) #EBTCard - LockedMSG IF:5683I didn't know what "#EBT" meant or that it went with the word "Card",since they were on different lines. But it was obviously a scam.I Googled the phone no. and got this site. Learned a lot here.Thanks. I'm going to check the web now to see if there's a place to report this.
I received a text on my phone last Sunday 1/16/22 at 8:11am from email ebt20278268@philasd.org telling me (Call 1-844-544-6015) #EBT Card - Locked. MSG ID: 6031072633.
I just received a text on my phone from this email 1366874@ehsd.org telling me pretty much the same message (Call 1-844-544-6015) #EBT Card - Locked.MSG ID:8079166732I didn't call, I also haven't had an ebt card in 15 years. Thanks for the info.
'Received this text. I don't have any ebt more have. I applied for any assistance. Received from msg is pasted below. 9559485@ehsd.org (Contact 1-833-335-1703) #EBT - Card Locked MSG ID:1763' Receive via email.
I recieved scam texts using 2 different numbers 844 607 1923 & 8772813303, both are not California benefits... personally I haven't had a card since my child support ended years ago... Also, anyone who has dealt with the state, they're known for profusely sending out papers for micro information.ALL STATE INFORMATION MUST BE IN WRITTEN FORM AND FROM YOUR COUNTY OF RESIDENCE.PLEASE don't respond, PLEASE DO BLOCK & REPORT
I've received TWO different texts from these thieves pretending to be from EDD. Text 1: 11/06/2021 from 766477@ehsd.org - (Contact 1-833-331-2823) #EBT Card - Locked MSG ID:56889624002.Text 2: 11/11/2021 from 705739@ehsd.org - (Contact 1-844-607-1923) #EBT Card - Locked MSG ID:231345498. I ignored both texts but logged in to my BofA EDD account and changed my PIN and password just to be safe. I'm amazed that there isn't an authority somewhere, at some level, that can deal with these thieves!
I got the same text from 6669@ehsd.org to call 1-884-607-192xx. I didn't get the last two digits because I didn't open the message. Instead I Googled ehsd.org. and the first hit I got was supposedly from ehsd. Org but it seemed like a scam also because that site kept putting off the part about the scam. I found the true site further down the search results. "Never, Ever" share or tell anyone your personal information, pin numbers or account numbers unless "You" have initiated the first contact. Even then you should be careful. If you get calls or messages from numbers you do not recognize, this should be your "first sign or clue to be on alert."
I received a text message from an email telling me my EBT card is locked. And asked me to call 877-415-0026. The email on the text is 35018570@ehsd.org. I called the number and the first thing they ask is for your EBT number so I hung up and reported the text message as spam.
