HHSC warns of increased reports of SNAP, TANF recipients being targets of fraud

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, or HHSC, is warning there has been an increase in reports of people who use Lone Star Cards being targets of fraud.

HHSC is urging Texans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also known as SNAP and TANF, benefits to monitor purchases on their Lone Star Cards.

People can monitor purchases on the Your Texas Benefits Mobile App. The app also allows people to freeze and unfreeze their card and change their PIN, it said.

People can download the app on the Apple App store or Google Play.

HHSC says clients should protect themselves by checking their balance frequently and changing their PIN on a regular basis. Clients should also note that HHSC will never reach out by phone, text or email to ask for their card number and PIN.

“We hope these resources and outreach efforts will minimize the fraud we’re seeing in Texas,” said Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter. “We encourage clients to take immediate action to secure their benefits.”

Lone Star Card users are primarily being targeted through “skimming” and “phishing” schemes, according to HHSC.

“Skimming” is where devices are placed on card readers to capture information, and “phishing” is when a text message or email is sent to trick people into clicking a link or calling a number to share card information.

The HHSC Office of Inspector General, which operates the OIG Fraud Hotline, has initiated 32 investigations in the 2023 fiscal year involving Lone Star Card skimming. This is compared to 108 cases in the prior fiscal year, which ended Aug. 31, 2022, it shared.

A new EBT fraud web page in English and Spanish has tips and resources for clients to learn how to protect themselves against fraud.

Those affected by Lone Star Card fraud should take immediate action by calling the Lone Star Help Desk (800-777-7328) and reporting it to the HHSC Office of Inspector General (800-436-6184) and local law enforcement.

If clients need assistance with food, they should contact a local food bank or food pantry. They can find one in their area by calling 2-1-1 and selecting option 1, or by visiting 211Texas.org.

 

SNAP benefits logo
SNAP benefits logo

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, or HHSC, is warning there has been an increase in reports of people who use Lone Star Cards being targets of fraud.

HHSC is urging Texans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also known as SNAP and TANF, benefits to monitor purchases on their Lone Star Cards.

People can monitor purchases on the Your Texas Benefits Mobile App. The app also allows people to freeze and unfreeze their card and change their PIN, it said.

People can download the app on the Apple App store or Google Play.

HHSC says clients should protect themselves by checking their balance frequently and changing their PIN on a regular basis. Clients should also note that HHSC will never reach out by phone, text or email to ask for their card number and PIN.

“We hope these resources and outreach efforts will minimize the fraud we’re seeing in Texas,” said Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter. “We encourage clients to take immediate action to secure their benefits.”

Lone Star Card users are primarily being targeted through “skimming” and “phishing” schemes, according to HHSC.

“Skimming” is where devices are placed on card readers to capture information, and “phishing” is when a text message or email is sent to trick people into clicking a link or calling a number to share card information.

The HHSC Office of Inspector General, which operates the OIG Fraud Hotline, has initiated 32 investigations in the 2023 fiscal year involving Lone Star Card skimming. This is compared to 108 cases in the prior fiscal year, which ended Aug. 31, 2022, it shared.

A new EBT fraud web page in English and Spanish has tips and resources for clients to learn how to protect themselves against fraud.

Those affected by Lone Star Card fraud should take immediate action by calling the Lone Star Help Desk (800-777-7328) and reporting it to the HHSC Office of Inspector General (800-436-6184) and local law enforcement.

If clients need assistance with food, they should contact a local food bank or food pantry. They can find one in their area by calling 2-1-1 and selecting option 1, or by visiting 211Texas.org.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Rock a long, red coat like Rihanna’s from the Super …

/ 2 hours ago

If you’d like to borrow a page from Rihanna’s Super Bowl style book, these long, red coats and jackets can give you a similar vibe.


BestReviews baking expert shares what you’ll need …

/ 4 hours ago

You can be prepared to make a tempting dessert with the guidance of BestReviews baking expert Andrea Boudewijn.


Forgot about Valentine’s Day? Here are some last-minute …

/ 4 hours ago

Forgot to get a Valentine’s Day gift? We have last-minute gift ideas that can make this the best Valentine’s Day ever.


View All BestReviews


Top Stories


1 dead after crash in east Austin, expect delays


City Council to take up police labor negotiations


UT women have 7-game winning streak snapped in Ames


UT men fall to Tech in Lubbock, tied for 1st in Big …


LIVE: Driussi signs new contract with Austin FC


Top Stories


More Stories


1 dead after crash in east Austin, expect delays


City Council to take up police labor negotiations


UT women have 7-game winning streak snapped in Ames


HHSC: SNAP, TANF recipients may be targets of fraud


UT men fall to Tech in Lubbock, tied for 1st in Big …


LIVE: Driussi signs new contract with Austin FC


TX AG warns Walgreens, CVS against abortion pills


TX gun laws: Uvalde senator proposing sweeping changes


More Stories

KXAN Austin Video

<article class="article-list__article article-list__article–is-stacked article-list__article–has-thumb article-list__article–is-media-type" data-article-id="8388929" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list4" data-anvato-params=" Tuesday, Feb. 14 morning headlines

6 hours ago

14-foot trailer stolen from local community band …

7 hours ago

Austin Police pull body from Lady Bird Lake

15 hours ago

APD says no one hurt in south Austin SWAT situation

16 hours ago

Rattlesnake Roundup at the Texas State Capitol

18 hours ago

City of Austin data on homeless camp cleanups

18 hours ago

Downed tree limbs? How to find out who offers curbside …

18 hours ago

4 new routes announced for Austin airport, including …

19 hours ago

Gov. Abbott shares support for bills banning transgender …

19 hours ago

After Texas passes new voting law restrictions, a …

19 hours ago

UT Austin students launch company that pays ranchers …

19 hours ago


More Videos


BestReviews


Rock a long, red coat like Rihanna’s from the Super …

/ 2 hours ago


BestReviews baking expert shares what you’ll need …

/ 4 hours ago


Forgot about Valentine’s Day? Here are some last-minute …

/ 4 hours ago


Snow thrower vs snow blower: which is right for you?

/ 5 hours ago


Best last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts for him

/ 11 hours ago


Best heart waffle maker

/ 11 hours ago


More reviews


More from KXAN Austin


TX AG warns Walgreens, CVS against abortion pills


TX gun laws: Uvalde senator proposing sweeping changes


Best taco spots in Austin, according to KXAN viewers


Rattlesnakes at the Texas Capitol? Here’s why


Weather history: Austin’s hottest, coldest Valentine’s


Sneezing this week? Here’s why


How to watch Abbott’s State of the State address


High-speed chase after trailer theft


More from KXAN Austin


BestReviews Valentine’s Day Deals


Rock a long, red coat like Rihanna’s from the Super …


Best last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts for him


Best heart waffle maker


Best Cupid costume





`;

// –>


Tracking the Coronavirus


COVID-19 tracker: Cases in the KXAN viewing area

/ 6 days ago


Data tracker: COVID cases, vaccine rates across Texas

/ 6 days ago


Coronavirus Cases Tracker

Austin Weather

Current

76°

Sunny

Tonight

51°

Partly Cloudy

Precip: 0&percnt;

Tomorrow

81°

Partly Cloudy

Precip: 0&percnt;

Trending Stories


Best taco spots in Austin, according to KXAN viewers


HOA mistakenly asked neighbor to remove pride flag


2 TX cities rank among top 10 most glamorous in US


1 dead after crash in east Austin, expect delays


4 new routes coming to AUS, including 2 international

Don’t Miss


RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer pic of January


Can I burn my tree stumps, fallen branches post-storm?


TxDMV rejects vegan license plate for ‘vulgar’ phrase


Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team