Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs on Monday warned SNAP recipients to be on high alert for impostors exploiting fear and confusion during the federal government shutdown.
Officials say scammers are posing as SNAP representatives or government agencies and contacting residents by phone or text, demanding Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card numbers and PINs to “unlock” cards, “verify eligibility,” or “speed up” benefits. Some are asking for Social Security numbers and bank information; others demand fees for so-called assistance. All of it is fraud.
“No government agency or SNAP representative will contact recipients unsolicited or ask for private information in a phone call or text, and assistance in obtaining SNAP benefits is always free,” the state cautioned.
Governor Phil Murphy underscored the scope and urgency: “As the more than 800,000 New Jerseyans dependent on SNAP benefits navigate the current food assistance crisis, we are doing all that we can to protect them from bad actors seeking to access their confidential information or divert their benefits.” He urged residents to rely on trusted resources, starting with https://nj211.org/njsnap.
Attorney General Platkin said scammers are exploiting the moment. “While many people are looking for ways to help individuals fearful of losing the ability to put food on the table amid the government shutdown, scammers are finding ways to exploit the situation for their own financial gain,” he said. “We’re raising public awareness of these scams to help New Jersey residents avoid falling victim.”
Elizabeth M. Harris, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, added: “Scammers know that people are most vulnerable during times of fear and uncertainty. We’re urging SNAP recipients in New Jersey to be on the lookout for these scams and providing them with commonsense tips to protect themselves.”
How to protect your benefits
- Never share your EBT card number, PIN, Social Security number, or bank information with anyone you don’t know or trust. State agencies and SNAP workers will not ask for this by phone or text.
- Refuse “help” from strangers offering to apply for benefits, unlock funds, or get you cash tied to your benefits — that’s a scam. For legitimate application help: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/apply/help/
- Be wary of unsolicited calls or texts about your SNAP. Don’t respond. If you’re unsure, contact your county social service agency directly: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/counties/
- Monitor your EBT account for unauthorized charges at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling 800-997-3333. If you see suspicious activity, change your PIN immediately and notify your county agency.
- Change your EBT PIN regularly—at least monthly and right before benefits are issued.
- Report suspected scams involving SNAP to your county social service agency.
State officials emphasized that any request for payment, fees, gift cards, wire transfers, or peer-to-peer payments in connection with SNAP is a red flag. If in doubt, hang up, delete the message, and use official channels to confirm your account status.