CONCORD, NH – A warning has been issued from the state Attorney General of a new phishing scam targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. It involves fraudulent phone calls, text messages, and emails seeking personal information.
“These scams aim to take advantage of people when they may be feeling most vulnerable, and that’s unacceptable,” Attorney General John Formella said. “We would urge anyone receiving this type of suspicious communication to hang up, not respond, and to report it.”
The New Hampshire Department of Justice Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau has received initial reports, forwarded by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), of callers impersonating DHHS officials and claiming that a recipient’s EBT card will be “restricted” and SNAP benefits held back unless the consumer verifies their Social Security number, date of birth, or other sensitive information.
“Scammers often try and create a false sense of urgency,” said DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver. “We urge SNAP recipients to be cautious, protect their personal information, and contact DHHS if they receive a suspicious call.”
These calls, texts, or emails do not come from DHHS, the EBT vendor, or any official government agency and DHHS does not “restrict” or “hold” SNAP benefits. Consumers who receive a call like this should hang up immediately and call 1-844-ASK-DHHS to make a report.
How the Scam Works:
- The caller uses spoofed phone numbers, including toll-free numbers, to appear legitimate.
- The message falsely claims there is an issue with the consumer’s EBT card or SNAP benefits.
- The scammer then pressures the recipient to “confirm” their identity or risk losing benefits.
What Consumers Should Do:
- Do not respond to unsolicited requests for Social Security numbers, dates of birth, PINs, or EBT card numbers.
- Report suspicious calls to the DHHS Customer Service Center at 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447)
- Monitor your EBT card for unauthorized transactions and report them immediately if discovered.
- File a complaint with the NH Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Bureau, by calling 1-888-468-4454 or visiting: https://www.doj.nh.gov/citizens/consumer-protection-antitrust-bureau.