Scam Targeting Wisconsin FoodShare Members Through Text Messages

WISCONSIN — Wisconsin FoodShare members are being asked to take steps to protect their benefits as a scam circulates through text messages, according to a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Complaints came in from members who were asked to call someone to confirm their account number and personal identification number in order to avoid having their benefits locked. The scammers would then use that information to steal the account's benefits, according to the DHS.

In an effort to limit losses, the DHS is removing access to unauthorized phone numbers linked to the investigation. All compromised QUEST cards are also being discounted and replaced and reviews are planned for impacted members to see if their benefits should be replaced, the DHS news release said.

“It is alarming that scammers are going after public benefits like FoodShare that people rely on to feed themselves and their families,” said DHS Inspector General Anthony Baize in a release. “We encourage FoodShare members to understand how to protect their benefits from these increasingly sophisticated scams and to report them when they happen.”

Here are some other tips from the DHS to protect FoodShare benefits:

• Monitor account balances on the MyACCESS mobile app or ebtEDGE website or mobile app.
• Do not share account passwords and PINs with anyone who is not part of your household.
• Create unique account passwords and PINs.
• Avoid using email addresses and the names of family members and pets for passwords.
• Avoid using your birth date and year, as well as repeating numbers, such as 1111, numbers in a row, like 2345, and numbers that follow a pattern, like 1212, for PINs.
• Temporarily freeze QUEST cards between uses by using EDGE website or mobile app. When members need to purchase food, they will need to unfreeze their cards using the ebtEDGE website or mobile app. This helps prevent unauthorized benefit use.
• Block out-of-state and online purchases. Members can turn off this feature before traveling out of state or shopping for groceries online.
• Confirm that an email or text about your FoodShare benefits is from DHS, not a scammer. DHS sends official FoodShare texts from 94347 (WI DHS) and emails from dhs@info.wisconsin.gov. DHS FoodShare texts and emails never ask members for personal information, such as a birthday or Social Security number, or financial information, like a bank account or credit card number. DHS does not offer prizes or money to members for responding to these texts and emails.

Here's what the DHS said to do if you have questions or to report suspicious activity:

• Check your FoodShare card balance by calling QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164 or using the MyACCESS mobile app, ebtEDGE website, or ebtEDGE mobile app. Using only these tools to check your card balance helps prevent unauthorized card access.
• Call your local agency to ask about suspicious FoodShare account activity, check account information, establish an account password, and ask general benefit questions.
• Call QUEST Card Service 24/7 to change PINs, immediately report lost or stolen cards, and to report suspicious FoodShare acount activity outside of your local agency's business hours.
• Report any emails or texts about your FoodShare benefits that are not sent to you by DHS to the agency that issues your benefits and Wisconsin’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128 or DATCPHotline@wi.gov. This hotline is run by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Be sure to avoid clicking any links in the email or text message or calling the phone number that sent you the text message or any phone number in the message.