Scam targets food assistance recipients

Pennsylvanians receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are being warned of a potential scam that directs them to click a link to receive $1,000 in benefits.

The Department of Human Services is advising that residents should not reply or share any personal information if they are contacted in this manner.

Officials said in a release Friday that the department does send text messages to people who receive SNAP and other benefits from the number 1-833-648-1964.

They also said department text messages will not include:

• Details about a person’s benefits, such as the amount of SNAP they are authorized to receive.

• A request for specific personal information.

• Links to unofficial sites; most department texts will direct people to dhs.pa.gov, COMPASS or a site that ends in .gov, .org, or .com.

Officials are asking the anyone who receives a text about benefits that seems suspicious call the department’s fraud tipline at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844347-8477).

“If you have received unsolicited or random calls or text messages telling you that you need to click a link to access your benefits and asking you for personal information, it is most likely a scam, Acting Secretary Meg Snead said. “Do not respond and delete the message so you do not get caught in identity theft.”