How to Lock Your EBT Card to Protect Your Benefits
Protect your EBT benefits. Learn how to secure your card, manage its status, and prevent unauthorized use to safeguard your assistance.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards provide a convenient way for individuals to access their food and cash assistance benefits. Safeguarding these cards protects your financial resources and prevents unauthorized access to your funds. Understanding how to manage your EBT card security helps ensure your benefits remain available for their intended purpose.
Methods for Securing Your Card
Cardholders can secure their EBT card through several steps, including phone, online, or mobile application options. To lock your card by phone, locate the customer service number on the back of your EBT card. You will navigate an automated system, selecting options related to lost, stolen, or damaged cards, before speaking with a representative. This allows for immediate action to prevent further unauthorized use.
Many benefit programs also offer online portals or dedicated mobile applications for card management. After logging into your account, look for a section labeled “Card Management,” “Security Settings,” or “Lock/Unlock Card.” Within this section, you can select an option to temporarily freeze or lock your EBT card, which stops most transactions from being processed. These digital tools allow you to manage your card from any location with internet access.
Information Needed for Security Actions
Before securing your EBT card, have specific information available for verification. You will need the full EBT card number. Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) is also required to confirm your identity and authorize security actions.
In some cases, additional information may be requested to verify your account ownership. This could include your date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security Number, or the mailing address associated with your benefits account. Having these details helps secure your card, whether communicating over the phone or through an online platform.
Post-Security Measures
After securing or locking your EBT card, several follow-up actions are needed to protect your benefits. If you suspect any unauthorized transactions occurred before or during the locking process, report these immediately to customer service. They will guide you through disputing fraudulent activity and initiating an investigation into unauthorized charges.
Following the security action, you will need to request a replacement EBT card, as the locked card is deactivated. Replacement cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days after the request. Should your original card be found after a replacement has been ordered, the old card will be permanently deactivated.