Alabama DHR Encourages EBT Cardholders to Use Lock Feature
The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is urging EBT card users to utilize the new lock/unlock feature available through the Connectebt app and website. Particularly, the “Lock Cards Anywhere” option is recommended to help prevent state fraud.
From May 2023 through December 20, 2024, the DHR has replaced a staggering $15.9 million worth of SNAP benefits due to EBT-related scams. Notably, between October and December 2024 alone, over 26,000 refunds totaling $10.5 million were processed.
The department has indicated that, remarkably, nearly all of the stolen funds appear to have originated from out of state.
Based on data, approximately $1.8 million in EBT spending from Alabama occurred in New York, while around $2.2 million was spent in Pennsylvania. DHR officials suspect that most, if not all, of these cases are fraudulent.
“The smartest move for an SNAP client is to lock their card when it’s not in use,” said Nancy Buckner, the Commissioner of Alabama DHR. “Since funds are being compromised through out-of-state EBT terminals, using the locking feature on Connectebt can really make a difference in combatting these scams.”
When locking the card, clients can select between two options: “Lock Card Anywhere,” which secures the card across all transactions, or “Lock Card,” which prevents non-Alabama purchases while permitting online transactions.
It’s highly advised by DHR that cardholders opt for the “Lock Card Anywhere” feature whenever the card isn’t being actively used.
If a card is used for food purchases, the retailer will still have access to the necessary funds, even if the card is locked by the user at that moment.
Real-time purchase permissions depend on the card’s status during the transaction. If the card is locked when it’s swiped or entered, the retailer will experience a failed transaction due to the locked status.
On the flip side, if the cardholder opts to lock their card immediately after the transaction is completed, the purchase will still go through, as long as the transaction was permitted and funded at the time it occurred.
Additionally, EBT card users can enroll for alerts via the Connectebt app and website, with notifications about account activity sent through apps, texts, or emails.
