HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a warning to residents about a sophisticated text message scam aimed at individuals receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, the scam involves fraudulent messages alerting recipients that their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards have been locked and urging them to contact a specified phone number or email address to unlock their accounts.
In one instance, the scam message prompted individuals to either call a number or send an email to an address misleadingly formatted to mimic a legitimate “pa.gov” email, in hopes of deceiving recipients into believing the communication was official. These messages are fraudulent attempts to harvest personal information under the guise of reactivating SNAP benefits.
“DHS will never solicit personal information through unsolicited text messages, emails, or phone calls,” Secretary Arkoosh emphasized, urging SNAP beneficiaries to be vigilant and protect themselves from potential identity theft. If recipients suspect their EBT card has been compromised, they are advised to directly contact their local County Assistance Office (CAO) for a replacement.
This scam represents a growing trend of targeting vulnerable populations, particularly those dependent on public assistance programs, with the aim of exploiting their reliance on these services for malicious gain. The implications of such scams extend beyond individual victims, threatening to undermine public trust in the welfare system and the integrity of its support mechanisms.
State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of safeguarding public trust in assistance programs. “Scams that prey on vulnerable individuals not only pose a direct risk to their well-being but also detract from the credibility and effectiveness of our social support systems,” Miller stated. He encouraged Pennsylvanians to report any suspicious activities related to benefit exploitation to the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG).
To combat this issue, DHS has provided guidelines on recognizing legitimate communications. Official DHS texts, which may be sent to inform recipients about renewal requirements or new programs, will not include links to unofficial sites, disclose specific benefit amounts, or request personal information. Instead, most DHS texts direct individuals to official websites like dhs.pa.gov or COMPASS, ensuring a secure channel for information dissemination.
Recipients of suspicious messages purporting to involve DHS benefits are urged to report these incidents to the DHS fraud tip line. Additionally, applications for public assistance programs should be submitted through secure online platforms such as the DHS website or COMPASS to avoid potential scams.
As DHS continues to leverage text alerts and other outreach methods to engage with beneficiaries, it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its communication channels. By staying informed and vigilant, Pennsylvanians can protect themselves from scams and contribute to preserving the integrity of vital public assistance programs.
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