From the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency
January 2018 | 2018 Winter Newsletter
The County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency is warning the public about text messages and phone call scams targeting beneficiaries of CalWORKs, CalFresh, General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, and Medi-Cal.
Two scams to be aware of:
- Text Message Scam: clients across the state report receiving text messages instructing them to call a number where an automated recording asks them to provide personal information including their EBT 16-digit card number and PIN. When the information is given, the perpetrators withdraw funds from the recipients’ Electronic Benefit (EBT) accounts.
- Phone Call Scam: reports of callers identifying themselves as county staff or health care providers asking for personal information. This is known as a phishing call, and the scammer is trying to obtain information in an attempt to steal your identity.
The County of Santa Clara will never text or call anyone requesting personal information such as an EBT card number or a Personal identification number (PIN).
Beneficiaries are advised to never give out their personal information to anyone. Keep your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card number, Personal Identification Number (PIN), and Social Security Number a secret. If your benefits are stolen they cannot be replaced.
To verify the authenticity of a call from a Santa Clara County Social Service Agency employee, call (877) 962-3633.
To learn more about text and phone scams contact a Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.
The County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency is warning the public about text messages and phone call scams targeting beneficiaries of CalWORKs, CalFresh, General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, and Medi-Cal.
Two scams to be aware of:
- Text Message Scam: clients across the state report receiving text messages instructing them to call a number where an automated recording asks them to provide personal information including their EBT 16-digit card number and PIN. When the information is given, the perpetrators withdraw funds from the recipients’ Electronic Benefit (EBT) accounts.
- Phone Call Scam: reports of callers identifying themselves as county staff or health care providers asking for personal information. This is known as a phishing call, and the scammer is trying to obtain information in an attempt to steal your identity.
The County of Santa Clara will never text or call anyone requesting personal information such as an EBT card number or a Personal identification number (PIN).
Beneficiaries are advised to never give out their personal information to anyone. Keep your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card number, Personal Identification Number (PIN), and Social Security Number a secret. If your benefits are stolen they cannot be replaced.
To verify the authenticity of a call from a Santa Clara County Social Service Agency employee, call (877) 962-3633.
To learn more about text and phone scams contact a Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.