Riverside County officials are rallying CalFresh recipients to report instances of suspected electronic theft as they may qualify for retroactive benefits, according to a recent announcement. Customers who've noticed discrepancies in their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) balances between October 2022 and November 2023 might have been victims of skimming, cloning, or fraudulent activities, and the county is stepping up to make them whole.
Those who experienced the theft of their food benefits electronically without losing their physical EBT cards should contact the Self Sufficiency office, report online at BenefitsCal.com, or call 1-877-410-8827 before the deadline of February 9, 2024, this effort is part of the county's pressing response to a surge in EBT related thefts, which has seen more than $3 million stolen from January through September this year alone. Assistant Director Allison Gonzalez of the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), stressed the urgency, "We’re aware this is a growing problem that has impacted individuals and families’ ability to put healthy food on the table; we hope to reach everyone impacted to compensate them for their losses," she affirmed in the department announcement.
The spike in EBT theft is not only a Riverside County concern but a nationwide issue that has prompted the DPSS to adopt proactive measures. With over 200 illegal cameras removed from ATMs and sales terminals in the past two years by a specialized DPSS team and ongoing collaboration with agencies to nab suspects and investigate crimes the fight is very much on. In combating this spread, Chief Shawn Ferris of the DPSS urged public awareness, stating, "EBT theft is impacting us all, not just here in Riverside County, but statewide and across the country," in the department's public statement.
Customers have been advised to shift their EBT card PINs shortly before monthly benefits are deposited to outsmart potential thieves who tend to strike at the beginning of the month and to remain vigilant for unauthorized devices on payment machines and ATMs. The new ebtEDGE mobile app is also on offer providing users the means to securely access account details, change their PIN, and block suspicious transactions. “It is important that customers know that thieves are striking typically during the first few days of the month when benefits are loaded onto EBT cards,” Chief Ferris added in the statement.
