Pennsylvania Officials Warn SNAP Recipients of Phishing Scam

Email Scam© Melpomenem from Getty Images / Canva

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvanians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are being warned of a potential phishing scam seeking to steal their personal information. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is urging recipients to be vigilant and report any suspicious emails or messages.

The scam involves an email originating from the address “experience@travelfoodstampassistanceforyou.com.” The email suggests that SNAP recipients may be eligible for a “settlement payment” if they share their personal payment details. However, this is a fraudulent scheme designed to extract sensitive information.

An example of the scam might look like this:

SNAP Benefits Scam

“DHS will never ask for personal information in an unsolicited email, text message, or phone call,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “If someone is claiming to be from or affiliated with the Department and they are asking you for your personal information, it is a scam.”

Arkoosh urged citizens to protect themselves against potential identity theft. If a suspicious call or text asking for information about benefits or financial details is received, Pennsylvanians should report it to the DHS fraud tip line immediately.

The DHS fraud tip line can be reached at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477). The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) is also accepting reports of fraudulent activity. The public can make such reports through OSIG’s website or by calling the Public Assistance Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582.

State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller emphasized the importance of vigilance against fraudulent schemes. “Pennsylvanians should remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes targeting SNAP recipients,” he said. “This phishing email scam is a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal information.”

DHS does send informational text messages and phone calls to people who receive SNAP, Medicaid, and other benefits. However, these messages do not request specific personal information or provide details about a person’s benefits. Most DHS texts will direct people to official government (.gov) or organization (.org) websites.

DHS also makes phone calls to people receiving benefits to inform them about changes that could affect their benefits or upcoming renewal dates. These communications are meant to be informational and will not reference specific account numbers.

Because of federal changes to SNAP and Medicaid, text alerts have been part of DHS’ statewide, multi-pronged outreach plan to reach Pennsylvanians and inform them of the changes. Outreach will continue to include those texts, mail, email, and phone calls to make certain they are aware of the federal action affecting their benefits.

If Pennsylvanians have any doubts or concerns regarding the authenticity of a call, text, letter, or any other form of communication, it is highly recommended to reach out to the Office of Income Maintenance at the Department of Human Services (DHS). The Office of Income Maintenance can provide the necessary guidance and support in verifying the legitimacy of such communications.

For the convenience of individuals seeking public assistance programs, applications can be easily submitted online. However, County Assistance Office (CAO) services are also available on-site to ensure that clients receive the assistance they need.

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