The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is warning clients who possess an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to be on the lookout for potential scammers trying to obtain confidential client information to commit fraud.

SSA and other county social services agencies have been made aware of a recent uptick in activity concerning potential fraud attempts across the state. One such attempt involved texting to obtain personal information, including but not limited to, an EBT card number and/or personal identification number (PIN), Social Security number, bank information and/or date of birth. Please be advised this information may be used to withdraw funds from recipient accounts.
Clients are advised NOT to give out their personal information. Please remember that SSA will never ask for your personal information in a text message or via email.

If you are unsure if a request for information is legitimate, please contact the SSA call center to confirm the request at (800) 281-9799 or contact your assigned case worker if you have one.

If you have called the phone number associated with a request for personal information or responded to a text or email request and have provided personal information, it is recommended you change your PIN and report your EBT card as lost or stolen by calling:

• The state’s EBT Customer Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (877) 328-9677, or
• The SSA call center from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays.

You may also wish to file a report with your local police department.