To curtail rampant theft and fraud, California has issued new chip-embedded EBT cards for beneficiaries of assistance programs like CalFresh, CalWORKs, and General Relief. As reported by the County of San Diego, this move aims to protect the roughly 405,000 residents of the County who rely on this electronic system to access their benefits.
The problem has been skimming and scamming, which continue to plague users of the older magnetic stripe cards. Last year alone, San Diego County recorded nearly 23,000 thefts. Introducing the new EBT cards, which are embedded with a chip and boast additional security features, is poised to make it a stiffer challenge for thieves to access and steal benefits. “These benefits are essential for San Diegans on their path to self-sufficiency,” said Rick Wanne, director of County Self Sufficiency Services, per the County of San Diego.
Recipients of these benefits are expected to start receiving the new cards in their mailboxes beginning Feb. 25. Activation of the cards is a straightforward process: simply use it at an eligible retailer. However, there is a 180-day window from the receipt date within which these new cards must be activated…