Protect Your County Benefits

August 20, 2026

San Diego County is warning recipients of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and Medi-Cal Benefit Identification Cards (BIC) about fraudulent schemes circulating through text messages and social media platforms. Scammers are impersonating government agencies by offering fake "free government smartphones" to deceive people into sharing sensitive personal information, including photographs of their benefit cards and Social Security or PIN numbers. County officials emphasize they never request personal information through text messages or social media advertisements.

Who is affected

EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cardholders
Medi-Cal Benefit Identification Card (BIC) users
County of San Diego benefit recipients
Individuals targeted by text message and social media scams

What action is being taken

The County of San Diego is issuing warnings about the scams
The County's Access Customer Service Call Center is available to assist potential victims (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Family Resource Centers are providing support to those affected

Why it matters

This scam threatens vulnerable populations who rely on government assistance programs by potentially stealing their benefits and compromising their personal information. If scammers obtain EBT/BIC card photos, Social Security numbers, or PINs, they can drain victims' benefit accounts, leaving families without critical resources for food and healthcare. The warning is particularly important because the fraudulent messages appear legitimate, making recipients more susceptible to falling victim to these schemes.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint