BATON ROUGE, La. — If you are an EBT recipient, you’ll need to take quick action to secure your account.
The Department of Children and Family Services is urging all EBT cardholders to immediately change their PIN after the Department discovered multiple skimming devices at several retail locations throughout Louisiana.
At this time, DCFS says there are no reports of stolen cardholders' benefits.
Local and federal authorities have been notified and are investigating, the department said. Similar incidents have also been reported across the U.S.
“As a precaution, DCFS is sending text alerts directly to EBT cardholders urging users to change their cards' Personal Identification Number (PIN) immediately,” DCFS said in a press release.
“Additionally, cardholders should change their card's PIN every 30 days to keep their benefits safe. Changing the PIN is vital to protecting benefits and preventing unauthorized access to accounts.”
DCFS recommends all EBT cardholders take the following actions:
- Change your EBT card PIN: Visit www.LifeInCheckEBT.com or call the EBT customer service line at 1-888-997-1117 as soon as possible. Select a unique PIN that is not easily guessable, avoiding common patterns or personal information.
- Monitor your EBT card activity: Regularly review your card transactions using the LifeInCheck EBT mobile app or by visiting the official website. Report any suspicious or unauthorized transactions immediately to the EBT customer service line.
- Be cautious with card usage: When making purchases, be alert and examine the card terminal for any unusual devices or signs of tampering. Shield your PIN entry from view to prevent potential compromise.
- Click here to report a typo.
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