As technology increases, so does theft from CT EBT cards. How to be prepared.

Connecticut’s Department of Social Services is reminding those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other benefits via an Electronic Benefit Transfer card to change their pin numbers each month to decrease cases of benefit theft.

Throughout the country thieves are using skimmers to get account numbers and pin codes, officials said.

“As technology increases, the way in which they’re (benefits) stolen increases,” said Dan Giacomi, director of Program Oversight and Grant Administration.

The Courant reached out to Giacomi after receiving reports that there has been a recent uptick in thefts from EBT cards.

Giacomi said there hasn’t been a flurry of new occurrences, but there’s been a general increase in reporting of EBT thefts since Congress passed a measure in 2022 requiring stolen benefits to be replaced.

“Prior to that nothing could be done,” leading to many instances going unreported, he said.

He said it can take up to 30 days to receive reimbursement for stolen benefits, but DSS tries to replace them sooner.

Giacomi said account pin numbers should be changed each month before benefits are added.

He said anyone noticing benefits missing should immediately dial 1-888-328-2666 to change their pin.

Ordering a replacement of benefits an be done on the DSS website or by calling the agency, he said.