The Lakewood Resource and Referral Center (LRRC) is urging SNAP and Work First New Jersey recipients to take immediate steps to protect their benefits amid growing concerns over electronic benefit theft and a recent skimming incident reported at a local supermarket.
The advisory comes after a skimming device was discovered last week on a payment terminal at a local supermarket, with at least one shopper reporting that his EBT benefits were drained shortly after his May funds were loaded.
The shopper told Lakewood Alerts that he used his EBT card at the affected terminal on April 20. On Sunday night, hours after his May benefits became available, the funds were stolen. He said he learned about the skimming device only after contacting police, who told him that a device had been recovered at the store the previous week.
Lakewood police have not issued a public advisory about the incident. It remains unclear how long the device had been attached to the terminal, how many customers used it, or whether additional shoppers have had benefits stolen.
With no reimbursement currently available for stolen funds, LRRC is urging all SNAP and WFNJ households to lock their Families First EBT cards whenever they are not in use and to report any suspected theft immediately.
Cardholders can now lock and unlock their EBT cards through NJFamiliesFirst.com or the ConnectEBT mobile app. After creating an online account, users can select “Lock/Unlock Card” under the card menu and choose “Lock My Card Everywhere.” Once locked, the card cannot be used for purchases until it is unlocked, though new deposits will still be added to the account.
LRRC said cardholders can also set an automatic re-lock timer for 30, 60 or 90 minutes, allowing the card to relock after a shopping trip.
Residents who do not have a smartphone or reliable internet access can visit LRRC during open walk-in hours for help creating an account and setting the automatic lock feature. LRRC also advises cardholders to save EBT Customer Service at 1-800-997-3333, which can be used to unlock a card before making a purchase. Customer service cannot lock a card.
LRRC is also recommending that cardholders consider restricting out-of-state use, though the agency noted that this does not block online transactions. Recipients are also advised to change their PIN the night before benefits load to reduce the risk of skimming fraud.
Anyone who believes their benefits were stolen should report the theft immediately to their County Social Services Agency by phone, email or in person, and file a police report documenting the incident. Cardholders should bring their EBT card and transaction details if available.
The theft can also be reported directly to the state’s Fraud Identification and Recovery Management Unit by emailing DFD.FIRM@dhs.nj.gov. LRRC advises residents to keep copies of all correspondence and police reports for their records.
Skimming devices are typically placed over or inside card readers and can capture card information and PIN entries, allowing thieves to clone cards or drain accounts. EBT cards have been a frequent target because reimbursement protections for stolen benefits have historically been limited.
