Williamsburg Alert: EBT Card Skimming At Local Supermarkets Leaves Residents Without Benefits

 A wave of EBT card fraud has struck the Williamsburg community, with scammers reportedly installing skimming devices on EBT machines inside local supermarkets. These hidden devices are designed to capture card numbers and PINs, allowing criminals to clone cards and drain funds—often overnight.

In recent days, dozens of residents have reported that their EBT (food stamps) cards were wiped clean, leaving families without access to critical benefits.

“This is serious. We’re seeing multiple cases across the neighborhood,” said a Williamsburg Shomrim coordinator. “These skimming devices are being installed inside supermarkets, right on the machines people use every day.”

Both NYPD and Williamsburg Shomrim are actively investigating, working closely with store owners to inspect payment terminals and review surveillance footage. At least one skimming device has already been recovered from a local store. 

What you should do immediately:

• Change your EBT PIN immediately, even if your balance appears normal

• Inspect machines before swiping — avoid anything that looks loose, misaligned, or unfamiliar

• Check your account activity regularly for unauthorized charges

• Report suspicious activity right away to: EBT Customer Service: 1-888-328-6399