All stolen SNAP benefits will be restored to New Mexico households
LOS LUNAS – New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) is aware of 488 SNAP households that are potential victims of EBT fraud. The department recently received reports of missing benefits from hundreds of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers who shopped at the Smiths Food and Drug located at 2850 N. Main in Los Lunas, N.M. The store has been informed.
“It’s unconscionable that anyone would steal food out of the mouths of the most vulnerable New Mexicans,” said Kari Armijo, Acting Cabinet Secretary for HSD. “The sad truth is card skimming can happen to anyone who uses a credit, debit or EBT card, including SNAP customers. We are doing all we can to restore the food benefits of our customers as quickly as possible.”
HSD learned that a card skimmer was discovered on June 22, at the Smiths at 2850 N. Main in Los Lunas, NM. The skimmer was placed at a self-service kiosk on May 25. All 488 New Mexico households had their EBT cards skimmed at this self-service kiosk.
HSD is calling all SNAP customers in Los Lunas whose cards were compromised to notify them of the theft and informing local EBT vendors of this potential risk. The agency is working with all affected customers to restore their SNAP benefits and advising them to change their PIN. SNAP customers will receive restored benefits no later than 10 days from the date the theft has been verified.
New Mexico residents who receive SNAP benefits need to be aware and monitor their benefits and if they believe benefits have been stolen due to card skimming, cloning or phishing should contact HSD. Benefits dating back to October 2022 can be replaced. SNAP customers must contact HSD 30 days from the day they suspect theft of their benefits. Customers can contact HSD by:
- Going in person to a HSD Field Office
- Call our Consolidated Customer Service Center line at 1-800-283-4465
- Report the benefits theft online at www.yes.state.nm.us
Customers should also report the fraud to local law enforcement.
HSD urges all New Mexicans to be alert when using their EBT card. Here are tips on how to avoid card skimmers and card theft.
- Protect your EBT card. Keep it in a safe place and don’t write your PIN on your card or card sleeve. Never share your card or PIN with others.
- Review your purchases and check your EBT card balance frequently by calling Fidelity Information Services (FIS), www.ebtEDGE.com or on the ebtEDGE mobile app.
- Reset your PIN often by calling Fidelity Information Services (FIS) 1-800-843-8303 or on the ebtEDGE mobile app. It is recommended that you change it at least once a month.
- Avoid setting common card pin numbers.
- Freeze, unfreeze and request a new card by calling Fidelity Information Services (FIS) or on the ebtEDGE mobile app.
- HSD or FIS will never reach out by phone, text or email to ask for your card number or PIN.
- If you see suspicious activity or see something unusual at a card reader, report it to the retailer immediately.
- When you’re at a store always look at the card reader before swiping your EBT card to see if anything looks unusual. Parts can be added to the readers that steal your information.
- Review information about skimming on the FBI web page. Skimming is the term used to describe devices being put on card readers to steal your information.
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We talk, interpret and smile in all languages. We provide written information to our customers in both English and Spanish and interpretation services are available in 58 languages through our provider, CTS Language Link. For our hearing, and speech impaired customers, we utilize Relay New Mexico, a free 24-hour service that ensures equal communication access via the telephone to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled.
The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to 1,070,126 New Mexicans through several programs including: the Medicaid Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support Program, and several Behavioral Health Services.