New warning for residents on transitional assistance

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is warning residents of skimming scams that have impacted some DTA clients. These scams are aimed at obtaining credit, debit, and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card information and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).

DTA is strongly recommending its clients frequently change their PINs and will be de-activating cards this month in specific geographic regions, including Canton, Holbrook, Randolph, Rockland, Brookline, Milton, Braintree, Dedham, Hingham, Milton, Norwood, Quincy, Westwood, and Weymouth.  Impacted individuals will need to re-activate their cards before they can access their benefits.

If any DTA client believes they may have fallen victim to a skimming or phishing scam, they are encouraged to report it to DTA’s fraud hotline at 1-800-372-8399.

Additionally, there have also been reports of a phishing scam where individuals receive scam text messages that their Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits have been blocked. The message directs individuals to call a number where they are asked to provide their P-EBT card number. This message is not from DTA. DTA only sends text messages from 382-674 and would only direct clients to call the Assistance Line (877-382-2363) or EBT Customer Service Line (800-997-2555).

For additional information on skimming, please visit the DTA webpage on Skimming and how to protect benefits.

MASSPIRG Consumer Action Center works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to resolve disputes between consumers and businesses through consumer advocacy and negotiation. We cover a wide range of issues, including rent and evictions; travel and event fees and cancellations, health clubs and gyms fees; automobile sales and repair; home improvement transactions, debt collection and credit problems among others.

There are no fees for our service.  We take complaints from residents living in the following communities; Braintree, Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Dover, Hingham, Holbrook, Medfield, Milton, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Rockland, Walpole, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, and Weymouth. Consumers can call us at 781-335-0280, or file a complaint on line through the Office of Attorney General.