By admin 
Sacramento County is warning EBT cardholders to be wary of ongoing scams on social media targeting recipients of CalFresh and CalWORKs benefits.
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The scam involves fake advertisements on Facebook Marketplace and similar social media platforms offering “free government phones.” Victims are asked to provide photos of their EBT card, their EBT pin, their full Social Security number and other personal information. The scammers then use that information to change the cardholder’s EBT pin and steal their benefits.
EBT cards, or Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, are issued to provide public assistance benefits. In California, they are called Golden State Advantage cards.
Legitimate government agencies will never ask EBT cardholders to send them photos of their card or provide them their PIN, according to Sacramento County. The county will also never ask individuals to provide their full Social Security numbers through social media or have recipients respond to social media advertisements in order to receive benefits.
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The county was alerted to the scam by the California Department of Social Services, which also alerted other counties of the issue.
If cardholders believe their EBT benefits have been stolen, the county advises them to call the customer service number on the back of their card and change their PIN immediately or contact the county directly at 1-800-560-0976.
Cardholders can request a replacement of stolen benefits by submitting an EBT 2259 Report of Electronic Theft of Benefits, if they qualify.
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