Oregon-Wide Scam Targeting Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards
A new scam is becoming increasingly common throughout the state.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield warned Oregonians about an uptick of scams involving card skimmers placed on payment machines at grocery and convenience stores across the state, especially in rural areas.
These devices allow thieves to steal data from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which are used by thousands of Oregon families to access food and cash assistance.
Law enforcement has identified a traveling group targeting Oregon retailers, especially discount stores and small markets, by installing skimmers that capture card and PIN information.
Once stolen, this information is used across the country to make fraudulent purchases, often draining families’ benefits before they realize what has happened.
The Oregon Department of Human Services has seen a reported 50% increase in dollars stolen from EBT cards in the first half of September compared to July and August combined.
While many retailers are taking increased measures to protect payment machines and consumers from skimmers, these scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated.
Look for warning signs of skimmers by checking for unusual attachments or tamper-evident seals before using your card to pay.
Posted on 9/16/25 11:49AM by Alex Bauer
