Maryland Introduces Chip-Enabled EBT Cards to Combat Benefit Theft

Maryland is set to roll out new chip-enabled EBT cards this month, a significant upgrade designed to enhance security for recipients of food and cash benefits. This initiative comes after years of rampant benefit theft that has resulted in losses exceeding $51.7 million for both recipients and taxpayers over the past three years.

State officials have reported that criminals have been cloning EBT cards, leaving many families without essential funds for groceries and rent. In response to this growing issue, Maryland lawmakers passed legislation in 2023 mandating the switch to chip-enabled cards, which are more resistant to skimming and cloning.

JD Douglass-Robinson, the acting director for the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Benefits Access, emphasized the importance of this upgrade. “This is a credit card, and as you can see, we have that chip technology right there, something that has been an industry standard for banking institutions for decades,” he stated.

The transition to chip cards has faced delays due to various factors, including a contract dispute regarding the management of Maryland's EBT program and the need for retailers to upgrade their payment systems to accommodate chip transactions.

Maryland now joins states like California, Alabama, and Oklahoma in implementing chip-enabled EBT cards, which have shown promising results in reducing fraud. Douglass-Robinson noted that Alabama reported a significant drop in fraudulent transactions after adopting similar technology.

All current EBT cardholders in Maryland are expected to receive their new chip-enabled cards by mail between July 13 and July 31. Those who do not receive their new card by August 7 are encouraged to contact the Maryland Department of Human Services Call Center.

Upon receiving the new card, users should activate it immediately, create a new PIN, and register for an account through the ebtEDGE website or app. The agency has advised recipients to utilize the chip or tap feature whenever possible to further protect against skimming, which remains a concern.

Additionally, the Maryland Department of Human Services has cautioned recipients to be vigilant against scams during this transition period, reminding them that the agency will never ask for personal information such as card numbers or PINs via phone, text, or email.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).