Scammers in Oregon have found a new low, targeting the state's most vulnerable by rigging EBT card machines to pillage what little they have. In a consumer alert issued by Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Oregonians are being warned about the rise in this fraudulent activity, particularly in rural regions where they are placing sophisticated card skimmers on payment devices at grocers and convenience stores, as Oregon Department of Human Services reported. These scammers have one aim: to capture the data from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, essential for thousands of families across Oregon for food and cash aid.
As Rayfield points out, this form of larceny strips away from those standing on the brittle brink of financial stability, he said, "This is theft from Oregon families who can least afford it," according to the Oregon Department of Human Services announcement. The scammers, believed to be part of a roaming group, prey on smaller outfits like discount stores and local markets, installing devices that glean card and PIN details, and this pernicious activity has climbed by 50% in stolen dollars from EBT cards since July and August, causing major alarms.
Oregon Department of Human Services Director Fariborz Pakseresht has implored EBT cardholders to be vigilant, underscoring the crucial support these benefits provide to individuals and families in meeting basic necessities and ensuring a healthy diet. To counter these threats, users are encouraged to only manage their cards through the official ebtEDGE website and mobile app, change their PINs frequently, and regularly check their accounts for any signs of unauthorized transactions, with a direct citation from Pakseresht: "We urge everyone with an EBT card to take action today to protect their benefits."
To discern if a payment machine is compromised, consumers should be on the lookout for misplaced or loose-looking card readers and keypads and should immediately question such irregularities. If the payment machine contains tamper-evident seals that seem tampered with, it's a red flag that a skimmer may have intervened, scammers often distract while the skimming devices do their dirty work, unwittingly victims remain none the wiser until their funds evaporate. Detailed steps for safeguarding personal information and what to do in case of theft are available, including freezing cards when not in use and instructions for acquiring replacement TANF benefits—but not SNAP, since federal funds for benefits replacement expired on December 21, 2024, leaving an absence of financial backstop for those who have fallen prey to these skimmers.
