Boulder County, Colo. -It was reported that there has been a significant increase in reports of scammers calling Colorado residents who receive food and cash assistance. This has recently been seen in Arapahoe County, where recipients of public benefits were contacted by an individual impersonating an Arapahoe County Human Services employee from an international phone number. When residents respond to the caller, the fake Human Service employee requested the client’s EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card number and PIN.

Boulder County will NEVER ask for your PIN or card number. You should not share these numbers with anyone from the State, Boulder County, or any vendor or retail employee.

If there is a question about whether a text message, email, letter or phone call is a scam you can contact the Community Protection Division at 303-441-3700 or email dacpd@bouldercounty.gov.

If you want to verify that an EBT-related call came from Boulder County Human Services, please reach out to 303-441-1000.

Further steps to take to protect your EBT card:

• If you’re receiving Cash Assistance, switch to direct deposit.
• Fill out the Client Direct Deposit form to begin receiving your benefits directly in your bank account, rather than on an EBT card.
• Change your Personal Identification Number (PIN) often, especially before new benefits are added.
• Change your PIN by calling the number on the back of your EBT card or by visiting one of our offices.
• Avoid easy PINs, like 1234 or your birth year.
• Never share your PIN — not even with store employees or officials. The state, Boulder County, and our EBT vendor, FIS, would never send communications requesting that you provide personal information such as your card number and PIN.
• Keep your Social Security Number (SSN) safe. We will never call you or leave a voicemail asking for your SSN. If you call us with questions and don’t know your case ID, we may ask for your SSN to help find your information. But we will never ask for it in a voicemail or an unexpected call.
• Cover your hand when entering your PIN at an ATM or checkout.
• Use your card only at trusted locations. Avoid unfamiliar or non-bank ATMs.
• Be cautious at self-checkouts, which can be targets for theft.
• Limit use at high-risk places like convenience stores or gas stations.
• Freeze your EBT card when not in use. It’s easy to freeze and unfreeze your card by:
• Logging into the MyCoBenefits mobile app
• Logging into the ebtEDGE mobile app
• Logging into the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal
• Block out-of-state or online transactions by:
• Using the free ebtEDGE mobile app
• Logging into the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal
• Calling EBT Customer Service at 1-888-328-2656 (TTY: 1-800-659-2656)
• Check your balance regularly by:
• Using the free ebtEDGE mobile app
• Loging into the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal
• Calling EBT Customer Service at 1-888-328-2656 (TTY: 1-800-659-2656)

If you believe your benefits were stolen, you should freeze your EBT card to prevent new purchases, PIN changes, and ATM transactions. You can access this feature at any time by:

• Logging into the MyCoBenefits mobile app
• Logging into the ebtEDGE mobile app
• Logging into the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal

You should also contact Boulder County right away using one of the following methods:

• Call or email your case manager.
• Call Boulder County Human Services at 303-441-1000.
• Visit one of the Human Service office locations during open hours:
• Longmont 515 Coffman Street, Suite 100 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
• Boulder 3460 N. Broadway Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Lafayette 1755 S. Public Road Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.