• Skimming is a type of theft.
• Thieves put an overlay on a store’s card-swiping machine to copy EBT, credit and debit card information.
• The thieves use the information to make fake EBT, debit or credit cards. The fake cards are called clones.

Cloned cards are used to steal money from real accounts, like yours!

• Skimming can happen anywhere you swipe your credit, debit, or EBT card.
• Most of the time, that means EBT or credit card machines and ATMs.
• Know the signs of fraud.

An overlay looks like a real card swipe machine, but it is larger than the original (to fit over the machine).

Here are some signs to look for to make sure you're not using a skimmer:

Can you see …

1. a green light in the corner?

2. the entire stylus (pen) tray?

3. a light behind the numbers? You may need to shade the machine from the room lights to check.

If you answered NO to questions 1, 2 or 3, DO NOT use the machine!

Thieves place overlay devices (skimmers) on retailer Point of Sale (POS) card reading machines (where you swipe your EBT card), which allow them to copy EBT account and PIN information so they can steal SNAP and cash benefits. Once EBT card and PIN information is stolen, the data is typically used to create a duplicate card which allows thieves to access your EBT account and spend your SNAP and cash benefits.  

Skimmers copy EBT card and PIN information when an EBT card is used to make a legitimate purchase.  The (POS) card reading machine allows the transaction to go through without any issues and the cardholder doesn’t know their information has been stolen. Therefore, most victims of skimming are not aware that their EBT card and PIN information has been stolen during the transaction until the next time they try to use their EBT card or review their account balance. 

There are a few steps that you can take to safeguard your EBT card and reduce your risk of benefit theft:

Change Your PIN Frequently
Once a card has been skimmed, the duplicate card uses the same information stolen from the EBT cardholder (e.g., card number and PIN). If you change your PIN often, anyone attempting to steal your benefits using a duplicate card will no longer have the correct information to gain access to your account. It is recommended you avoid choosing a PIN that is easy to guess, such as repeated or consecutive numbers. For example, avoid choosing a PIN of “2222” or “1234”.

Physically Inspect Card Reading Machines
Skimmers are designed to look like the POS machine that they fit over and will likely be difficult to notice. However, there are some signs that may indicate that a skimmer is being used, including:

• Some skimmer devices block LED indicator lights or illuminated backlit keypad numbers, or partially cover stylus/pen trays.
• The faceplate of card reading machines may be loose, appear ill-fitting, or be easily dislodged from the body of the machine. 
• In some instances, the faceplate may be miscolored, texturally mismatched, or otherwise appear different than the body of the POS card reading machine. 
• We've posted some photos on this page to help you identify a skimmer. See  "What does an overlay look like."

Please note that while these signs do not necessarily prove that a skimming device is being used, cardholders should always exercise caution when making purchases and refrain from using any card reading machine that they suspect may be compromised. 

Report Suspicious Devices & Activity— If you notice any signs that a skimmer may be in use, you should alert the retailer and should not use your EBT card to make a purchase. You should also regularly review your account balance. If you identify any suspicious activity, contact your local department of social services’ fraud unit immediately. 

In addition, if you believe your benefits have been stolen, immediately report your card as stolen by calling the EBT Customer Service Helpline at 1-888-328-6399 and a replacement card can be mailed to you. The EBT Customer Service Helpline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and assists Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Spanish speakers. You can also report your card stolen and order a new card by visiting www.connectebt.com or through the ConnectEBT mobile app.

If you think your card has been cloned and your benefits are being stolen, immediately call the DSS Fraud Unit: (518) 447-7380

If you suspect you're a victim of a skimmer:

• Call your local police department to report that your benefits were stolen. 
• To get a new EBT card or change your PIN, call the EBT Helpline:  888-328-6399
• For help finding participating stores and ATMs please call Location Services at 1-800-289-6739

A completed and signed “Request for Replacement of Stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance (TA) Benefits” (LDSS-5215) allows households to request replacement of stolen benefits.

To be eligible for a replacement benefit, the theft must be determined to have been scam-related (card skimming, card cloning, third party misrepresentation, or other similar fraudulent methods like phishing).

Incidents involving lost cards, the physical theft of cards, voluntarily giving an EBT card or card information to someone they know, or transactions conducted by anyone authorized to access the case benefits, including Authorized Representatives, are not eligible for replacement. 

The Request for Replacement of SNAP Benefits application is available here:
LDSS-5215 - Replacement for Stolen SNAP Benefits (ny.gov)

This application collects information from the household about the theft and includes an attestation that the reported information is true and accurate. In order for the district to review eligibility for replacement, the household must list the transactions that were made without their consent or knowledge, and through which their benefits were electronically stolen. 

To be considered complete, the application must contain the following information:

• Signature 
• Case name and cardholder name (if different) 
• Case Number or Client Identification Number (CIN)
• Name of requesting individual (if signed by someone other than the “Case Name” or “Cardholder”). If the requesting individual is a non-household member, they must be separately recorded as an authorized representative prior to applying on behalf of the household. 
• Detailed transaction information for each reported theft transaction (dates, benefit types, amounts, retailer names and locations). 
• Date the household discovered the theft. 

Completed and Signed Applications may be submitted through any of the following means:

• In-Person: Households can drop off the application in-person at the Albany County Department of Social Services located at 162 Washington Avenue
• By Mail: Households can mail the application to Albany County Department of Social Services, ATTN: Fraud Unit – SNAP Benefit Replacement, 162 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210