PSA

askawelfarecaseworker:

cantdutchthis:

askawelfarecaseworker:

Scammers are getting smarter and smarter all the time, and can now spoof any phone number they’d like.

So, I just need everyone to know that your local welfare caseworker does not care about your PIN. We will never, ever ask you for your EBT card’s PIN. It’s not our business and there’s no need for us to know.

We MAY care about your EBT card number, but only if you call us about an issue with your card and we’re troubleshooting. We will never, out of the blue, call you to ask for your EBT card number. And, again, WE DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR PIN. THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS. 

If someone calls you and says they’re from your local social services/human services/etc. department and there’s an issue that requires you to disclose your EBT PIN, hang up on them and call your actual factual office to report the scam.

they are not getting smarter if they are still asking for pins over the phone. by now if you do not grasp that someone asking for your pin on the phone is automatically a scammer or have not heard it. it’s not them getting smarter. it’s you being a tit.

The “smarter” comment was referring to them being able to spoof any phone number. You know, including the legitimate phone number of a caseworker in a legitimate social services office.

Also like, if you’re working two jobs while going to trade school and checking in monthly with several different caseworkers you MAY not have a lot of time to browse the internet or read the news.

And in my current county, calls are recorded, which means I need to follow a strict script when I call my clients. Part of that script is IMMEDIATELY asking them to verify their personal identity, including their social security number (or at least the last 4 digits).

During my interviews, I grill people on their relationship status, who they live with, where they get their money, how they’re paying their rent, what bank accounts, vehicles, hell even expensive jewelry they might have.

Is it really so farfetched that someone who is used to officious people asking them invasive questions might assume that a request for their PIN is legitimate?