Urge Your Senator to Support EBT Security!
EBT Skimming is the electronic theft of funds using illegal devices on Point of Sale (POS) machines that collect SNAP cardholders’ information to make unauthorized purchases. Skimmers target consumers who use SNAP to purchase food because EBT cards are not chip-enabled, making it easy for thieves to access users’ card numbers and PINs.
Between October 2022 and December 2024, there were 18,976 cases of confirmed skimming in Pennsylvania with almost $8.9 million in nutrition benefits stolen from low-income households. The number of thefts has increased dramatically over time, with over 75% of the total confirmed skimming cases processed in the last six months. Congress ended federal authority to replace stolen SNAP on December 20, 2024, leaving recipient whose benefits are stolen after then without any recourse.
Skimming devices are intentionally hard to spot and there are few ways for recipients to protect their SNAP payments from skimmers. POS skimming devices can be installed on retailers’ payment terminals in seconds and are difficult for consumers to detect. One of the only ways for SNAP recipients to protect their benefits from theft is to change their PIN frequently, but this risks losing track of the current PIN, making it difficult to purchase food when they need it.
Chip EBT cards will protect Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP from going to bed hungry. EBT card technology has not been updated since it was implemented in 1998. Because EBT cards do not have chips, they are much more vulnerable to theft than debit and credit cards. The General Assembly should act now to stop the widespread theft of low-income Pennsylvanian’s nutrition benefits by funding the transition to secure chip-enabled EBT cards in the FY 2025-26 budget.
HB1429 passed the House by 198-4! This overwhelming bipartisan majority shows that simple, cost-effective changes can be made to support those who use SNAP. On the next page, send a message to your PA senator to encourage them to support HB1429 when it comes through the Senate, and to include it in the budget. Remember to include a personal note telling your rep why caring for our neighbors who use SNAP is important to you! It really does make a difference!
Thank you for your advocacy!
[Posted:6/10/2025]
