CHULA VISTA - Thieves are targeting EBT cardholders in the South Bay.
The Chula Vista Police Department told NBC 7 they've received more than 160 calls about EBT card theft this year, compared to only 23 last year, making it a 600 percent increase. Police say thieves are using skimming devices to get the card numbers and sometimes using cameras to capture people entering their pin and then the thieves are taking out cash from those accounts.
Authorities say it's best not to use a stand-alone ATM and instead use one attached to a bank.
The state Department of Social Services will replace money stolen from EBT cards but it may take up to 25 days.
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