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Protect your EBT card from fraud

Protect Your Benefits

You are responsible for your benefits. Take these steps to keep them safe.

Lock Card Everywhere and Automatically Re-lock

The Lock My Card Everywhere feature is the only way to prevent unauthorized transactions. Setting it blocks all purchases until you unlock it.

Automatically Re-lock: Your card locks again after the set time limit.

Watch the EBT Lock/Unlock video for step-by-step instructions.

When your card is locked, your benefits are protected!

Before making a purchase, unlock your card using the ConnectEBT app. The ConnectEBT app by Conduent Inc. is free in both the Apple App Store and Google Play stores. After you check out, lock your card again. Or set a time for your card to Re-lock Automatically.

Important:  Don’t share your account info with coupon apps. Some are fake and can steal your benefits!

You can also lock and unlock your card using the ConnectEBT Client Portal.

Re-lock Automatically

To help keep your benefits safe, lock and unlock your card anytime.

Each time you unlock your card, you can chooose to have it lock again automatically after 30, 60, or 90 minutes.

Don't have strong internet? The Automatically Re-lock feature keeps your card safe, even when you're offline.

 
  • Lock/Unlock applies only to the card, not the entire case.
  • Each card must be locked or unlocked separately. Cardholders do this through each person's ConnectEBT login.
  • Benefits can be issued to your card while it is locked. 
  • Unlock your card if you need to return a purchase.
  • You will get an email when you lock or unlock your card.
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Pick a PIN that is hard to guess and keep it secret. For extra protection from fraud, change your PIN every month.

Avoid these common mistakes:

If you get an Invalid input error, it means your new PIN doesn't follow the rules.

Don’t use:

  • Repeating numbers (like 1156 or 1255)
  • 3 or more numbers in a row (like 1235 or 8678)
  • Addresses or phone numbers
  • Birthdates
  • Last 4 digits of card number
  • Your old PIN

To choose a secure PIN:  

  • Log in to your ConnectEBT account
  • Or call 1-888-328-6551 to set your PIN by phone
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Lost or stolen EBT card? Act fast to protect your benefits.

If your EBT card is lost or stolen, report it right away. Someone else could use your benefits without your permission. The faster you report it, the sooner your account is protected and a new card can be sent.

How to report a lost card:

If you think someone used your EBT card without your OK, click here to Report Stolen SNAP Benefits.

If you report your card as lost, stolen or damaged, it will be permanently turned off.

To get a replacement:

  1. Check your mailing address in the ConnectEBT app.
  2. Order a new card. It will be sent to the address on your account.
  3. After 24 hours, check your card status in the app.

After 24 hours, check your card status in the app. When the new card shows "Active":

  • Lock My Card Everywhere
  • Change your PIN for added security.
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See next deposit


You can see your next deposit amount before the money is added to your card. The money will be added on the date shown.

For example, this screenshot shows $7.74 available until the next deposit of $638.00.

Messages-NEW alert

 

What are Messages-NEW?

Messages-NEW are updates for all EBT customers in the ConnectEBT app.

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Last Modified on Mar 20, 2026