Apple's store withdraws fraudulent application following California's advisory to EBT beneficiaries
California officials are warning EBT cardholders about a phony mobile application called "Ebt Edge - Food Stamps" that was posing as a state-sponsored tool. The app, which was identified by the California Department of Social Services as not state-sponsored, was developed by an unknown party and is a fraudulent copy of the official California app.
The phony app, available on the Apple App Store until Friday, required users to input their EBT card information and charged them $4.99 a week or $60 for lifetime access. It's unclear what type of content the app provided.
Apple's App Review Guidelines state that applications that mimic or impersonate other apps will be investigated. The tech giant ended more than 146,000 developer accounts over fraud concerns in 2024. In this case, as of Friday, the app has been removed from the App Store and the developer's account was terminated.
The California Department of Social Services became aware of the non-state-sponsored app on Sept. 10 and alerted the Apple App Store of its existence. The department urged EBT cardholders who suspect benefits theft to contact their local county social services office or call the EBT Customer Service Line at (877) 328-9677.
California's official mobile app for EBT cardholders is called "ebtEDGE" and was launched in November 2023. The state's mobile app icon features a picture of a fried egg on a black background. "ebtEDGE" is a free tool for EBT cardholders to manage their benefits.
It's important to note that the EBT card is similar to a debit card and allows recipients of financial assistance programs like CalFresh to purchase groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture tracks fraudulent and stolen benefit claims.
As of April 29, the state department has issued 4.4 million EBT cards. The developer of the phony app could not be reached for comment.
This incident serves as a reminder for all EBT cardholders to be vigilant and cautious when using mobile applications related to their benefits. Always ensure that the app is official and from a trusted source to protect your personal and financial information.
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