New Lone Star Card fraudsters targeting Texas; Agencies warn Residents

New scam notice for millions of Texans using Lone Star Cards, which give federal social welfare benefits managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The commission issued the scam alert after receiving more complaints about a Lone Star Card phone scam. Texas Electronic Benefit Transfer provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash benefits using the Lone Star Card.

SNAP helps almost 3.7 million Texas residents, according to Every Texan.

The HHS Office of Inspector General claimed that its Fraud Hotline receives 10-15 complaints a day concerning a new “spoofing” telephone scam. A person or prerecorded voice claims to be from the Lone Star Card Help Desk and requests users’ confidential information to steal.

Callers allege the caller ID indicates the Lone Star Card’s Help Desk number, 800-777-7328, even though the call isn’t from that number. The caller requests a Lone Star Card user’s PIN, Social Security number, and date of birth to provide new or higher benefits. Instead, it can steal users’ identities and benefits.

“As the OIG Fraud Hotline identifies new and increasingly sophisticated scams, we want Texans to be able to protect themselves against those attempts to steal their information,” HHS Inspector General Raymond Charles Winter stated. “Do not give personal information to unsolicited calls, regardless of caller ID.”

Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which controls Lone Star Card, does not call, text, or email seeking card number and PIN.

Scammers should phone the Lone Star Card Help Desk at 800-777-7328, report the fraudulent call to the HHS OIG at 800-436-6184, and notify their local police authorities.

Anyone who lost benefits from the scam can obtain replacements at their local HHSC. Call 2-1-1 (option 1) or visit 211Texas.org to find a food bank for immediate food help.

The HHS Lone Star Card Fraud Awareness and Prevention site offers safety advice. They include avoiding writing the PIN on the card or sleeve, never sharing it, and changing it monthly.

Your Texas Benefits website and mobile app users should call the Lone Star Help Desk to verify purchases and check card balances often.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has cautioned Texans about scammers using his name, signature, and Office of the Attorney General Seal to steal, steal, and misuse personal information.

Scammers impersonate the U.S. Social Security Board using the OAG seal. Texas residents charged with drug trafficking, money laundering, theft, or tax evasion will have their Social Security number canceled, according to emails. The fake emails also ask recipients to call a toll-free number and supply personal information.

Please report any such correspondence to the AG’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-800-621-0508 or online.

The Social Security Administration includes many resources and toolkits on identity theft and other scams. The FTC produced “What To Do if You Were Scammed” to advise customers who may have paid a scammer or given them access to their personal information, computer, or phone.