mine loaded just now!! check your accounts!

I'm so glad this worked out for everyone! This is a perfect example of why this community is so valuable - Dylan was stressed and got real help from people who've been through similar situations. @Ellie Lopez thank you for getting that official update from the supervisor, that made all the difference. And @Paige Cantoni the tip about emergency assistance is gold - I've been on CalFresh for 2 years and never knew that was an option. For anyone reading this later, it's also worth noting that the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) can at least confirm if your benefits are "pending" even if they can't tell you exactly when they'll post. Bookmark this thread - it's a great reference for future delays!

This thread has been absolutely eye-opening! I'm fairly new to CalFresh (got approved about 2 months ago) and had zero clue that multiple card swipes could trigger this kind of security lockout. Reading Daniel's original story literally gave me anxiety - the thought of being at the store with groceries for my family and suddenly having my card flagged as "stolen" when I never reported anything is my worst nightmare. What really gets me is how this seems like a design flaw disguised as a security feature. Card readers fail constantly, especially at older stores, so of course people are going to try swiping multiple times! It feels like the system punishes you for trying to actually USE your benefits when technology doesn't cooperate. I'm so grateful everyone shared practical solutions though - that Claimyr service sounds like a game changer for actually getting through to county offices. I've already tried calling mine twice for other questions and spent forever on hold before getting disconnected both times. And knowing about emergency food vouchers could be crucial if this ever happens to me. Thank you Daniel for updating us with the resolution! It's reassuring that they could reactivate your same card quickly once you reached the right person. Definitely saving all this advice - this community has been more helpful than any official materials I received with my card!

This thread has been incredibly informative and honestly pretty scary as someone who just got approved for CalFresh benefits last month! Reading Daniel's original post about his card suddenly being flagged as "stolen" when he never reported anything gave me serious anxiety - I can't imagine the panic of being at the store with kids and having your food benefits suddenly inaccessible. What really bothers me is how this security feature seems to punish people for completely normal behavior. Card readers malfunction all the time, especially at gas stations and smaller stores, so of course you're going to try swiping a few times when you need groceries! The fact that this can automatically trigger a fraud alert that locks you out of food assistance feels cruel and backwards. I'm so grateful everyone shared practical solutions though - that Claimyr service sounds like exactly what people need when county phone lines are impossible to get through. And I had no idea about emergency food vouchers or being able to get same-day card replacement in person. This kind of real-world knowledge is invaluable and honestly more helpful than any official materials I received. Thank you Daniel for following up with your resolution! It's reassuring to know they could reactivate your card the same day once you reached the right person. Definitely bookmarking all this advice for future reference - this community really looks out for each other!

This thread is incredibly eye-opening! I've been receiving CalFresh for about a year now and thankfully haven't gotten any of these scam calls yet, but reading everyone's experiences has me really concerned about how sophisticated these criminals are getting. The fact that they're spoofing official DPSS numbers and using such convincing language is terrifying. I can totally see how people would fall for this, especially when they threaten to freeze your benefits - that would send anyone into panic mode when you're relying on that assistance to feed your family. I'm immediately going to: 1. Download the ebtEDGE app and set up all those transaction alerts 2. Save the real fraud hotline number (800-349-9970) in my phone 3. Write down the legitimate EBT customer service number from the back of my card 4. Share this information with my sister who also receives benefits It's so messed up that scammers are specifically targeting vulnerable people who depend on government assistance. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and practical tips - this is exactly the kind of information that helps protect our community. I'll definitely be more vigilant now and will report any suspicious calls or texts immediately.

This is such an important thread! I just want to add one more tip that helped me feel more secure - I actually called the legitimate EBT customer service number (the one on the back of my card) and asked them to add extra security notes to my account. They can put flags that require additional verification before any changes are made. Also, for anyone who's elderly or not as comfortable with technology, please share this information with family members or caregivers. My grandmother almost fell for one of these scams last month because she didn't know about the new tactics they're using. These scammers are specifically targeting older adults and people who might be less familiar with how the system actually works. One more thing - if you do get a suspicious call, try to write down or remember as many details as possible: the phone number that called you, what time they called, exactly what they said, and any background noises you heard. The fraud investigators said this information helps them track down these scam operations and potentially shut them down. Every detail matters in protecting our community!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I checked my approval letter and my case number does end in 7, which matches up with when I've been getting my benefits. I'll mark the 7th on my calendar each month so I can plan better. This community is so helpful! 😊

Just wanted to add that you can also set up text alerts through your county's EBT system! I get a notification the night before my benefits are deposited, which really helps with meal planning. You can usually sign up for these alerts by calling the customer service number on the back of your EBT card or through your county's online portal. It sends you a message saying something like "Your CalFresh benefits will be available tomorrow" so there's no more guessing or checking your balance at midnight. Really takes the stress out of budgeting when you have that confirmation!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming really common. Here's what helped me when I went through this exact situation: Bring multiple forms of documentation tomorrow: - Your EBT card (even though it's compromised) - Photo ID - Any screenshots of your transaction history showing the fraudulent purchases - Write down the exact stores/locations where the fraud occurred When you're there, be very clear that this is an emergency - you have children and no other food resources. Ask for: 1. Expedited benefit replacement (they can sometimes do this same-day for families with kids) 2. Emergency food assistance while you wait 3. A case number for your fraud report Don't let them brush you off or tell you to "just wait." You have legal rights to replacement benefits for unauthorized use. If the first worker you speak to isn't helpful, politely ask for a supervisor. Also, when you get your new card, consider only using it at major grocery stores rather than smaller markets - the fraud protection tends to be better at larger chains. You WILL get your benefits back. Stay strong and advocate for yourself and your kids!

I went through this exact same situation 6 months ago and it was terrifying! But I want to reassure you - California WILL replace your stolen benefits. Here's what worked for me: When you go tomorrow, be persistent but polite. Sometimes the first worker you speak with might not know all the options available. If they seem hesitant about emergency assistance, mention that you have minor children at home with no food - this often triggers additional help options. Also, keep detailed records of EVERYTHING - take photos of any paperwork they give you, write down names of workers you speak with, and get case numbers for every form you submit. This saved me when I had to follow up later. One thing that really helped speed up my case was bringing a printed statement from the EBT website showing all the fraudulent transactions with timestamps and locations. It made it crystal clear that someone else was using my benefits. Most importantly - don't give up if the process feels overwhelming. These benefits are legally yours and they have an obligation to replace stolen funds. You're going to get through this!