Criminal activity related to public assistance benefits is on the rise. The State of Ohio and our federal partners at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) are taking every report of suspicious activity seriously and are actively investigating impacted cases. We are recommending you change your PIN immediately—and continue to change it regularly. Change your PIN by calling 1-866-386-3071 and follow the prompts to change your PIN.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is working closely with the USDA Food and Nutrition Services’ Office of Inspector General and the Ohio Investigative Unit to shut down fraudulent activities and identify and apprehend criminals.
Please note that lost or stolen benefits are not replaceable. ODJFS will never contact you to ask for your EBT card number or PIN. If someone asks for card number and PIN it is likely a scam.
Keep the following tips in mind to protect your benefits:
- Check your EBT balance regularly.
- Monitor your transaction history. Immediately report your card if it is lost, no longer working, stolen or if you notice anything unusual.
- Do not share your card, card number or PIN.
- Change your PIN frequently.
- Choose a unique PIN which is NOT easily guessed.
- Report duplicate or unauthorized transactions immediately.
- Do not respond to social media posts, email or text messages that ask you to enter your EBT card number and PIN to resolve issues or get extra funds.
- Never click on links that you receive through texts or emails unless it comes from a known, reliable, and expected source.
If you need additional assistance, please contact the Benefit Recovery / Fraud Hotline at Clark County Department of Job and Family Service at 937-327-1701.