(Posted 2025 May, Updated August 2026)

Scammers are targeting electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cardholders nationwide. Virginia, like most states, is unable to replace missing or stolen EBT funds, so it's important to protect your card and benefits. 

Beginning in September 2026, Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will replace all magnetic stripe EBT cards with chip-enabled cards that support both tap and chip-insert transactions. The change is designed to protect your benefits. Chip and tap-to-pay technology significantly reduces the risk of skimming and cloning.

Your benefits will carry over to the new chip card. VDSS will begin mailing the new cards in September. SNAP customers should expect to receive their chip cards by October 1, 2026.

Upon receiving the new card, customers should activate the new card and set a new PIN by calling the number on the back of your EBT card. Make sure you activate the new card within 60 days of the card being mailed or you may lose access to your benefits until the card is activated.

After activating the new card, cut up and discard the old magnetic stripe card to protect your benefits.

Use these simple and effective tips with current or new EBT cards:  

Keep your PIN secret. Do not share your PIN with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.

Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you notice any, change your PIN immediately to stop the thief from making any new purchases by calling 1-866-281-2448. 

Before you shop, know your balance by any of these ways:

• Save your receipts. The receipts always show how much you spent and how much is left in your account.
• On the Internet, go to ConnectEBT.com and follow the Virginia link. Besides your balance, you can see your last 90 days of transactions online too.
• Call Connect EBT Customer Service: 1-866-281-2448
• Some grocery stores have a point-of-sale (POS) machine in their customer service area, where you can swipe your card and check your balance before you shop.

Check card reading machines to make sure there’s nothing suspicious overlayed or attached to the card swiper or keypad. The overlays can be difficult to detect but are often bigger than the original machine and may hide parts of the machine.

Download the ConnectEBT app (available for free on the Apple and Google app stores) to lock your EBT card from your phone after checkout.