Maryland Reduces Benefit Theft by 71% Following Rollout of Fraud-Resistant “Chip-and-Tap” EBT Cards, $2.2 Million in Taxpayer Dollars Saved

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Official release

Source material from Maryland Governor’s Office. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Maryland Reduces Benefit Theft by 71% Following Rollout of Fraud-Resistant “Chip-and-Tap” EBT Cards, $2.2 Million in Taxpayer Dollars Saved

Press Release

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October 21, 2026

Updated: October 21, 2026

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Moore and the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced a significant decline in benefit theft and approximately $2.2 million saved for Maryland taxpayers, following the state’s successful transition to “chip-and-tap” Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. From July to September 2026, Maryland’s reimbursements for stolen benefits dropped by 71% – a dramatic reduction in state expenditures compared to the same period last year.

“As prices rise across the nation, our administration is providing accessible and secure relief to Maryland families,” said Gov. Moore. “These EBT cards ensure that Marylanders can put food on the table without fear of stolen benefits, saving the state millions of dollars in the process. My administration will continue working to reduce fraud and delivering real results for communities that need it the most.”

Maryland was the fourth state in the nation to implement chip-enabled EBT cards, which are designed to thwart traditional card-skimming techniques by making stolen card data harder to use for fraudulent transactions. Combined with enhanced fraud monitoring, stronger claim validation processes, and a new EBT processor, the technology is helping strengthen safeguards against benefit theft.

These coordinated fraud-fighting measures saved the state approximately $2.2 million in the first three months of chip card implementation. Total customer reimbursements for stolen benefits dropped 71%, falling from roughly $3.14 million in July through September 2025 down to $898,000 during the same three-month period in 2026. Total claims submitted by customers decreased by 65% (from 8,817 to 3,062), indicating fewer Marylanders are experiencing stolen benefits.

“Our highest priority is ensuring that vital food and cash assistance reach the Maryland families who need them—not the criminals attempting to steal them,” said Acting Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Stacy L. Rodgers. “Through our transition to chip-and-tap EBT technology, we are protecting state taxpayer dollars, reducing administrative burdens on our staff, and keeping benefits secure for our customers.”

Maryland’s comprehensive fraud prevention efforts have produced measurable impacts across every major benefit program:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Customer reimbursements for stolen benefits dropped by 73% (from $2.54 million down to $678,000).

SUN Bucks: Customer reimbursements for stolen benefits dropped by 79% (from $49,000 down to $10,500).

Cash Assistance: Customer reimbursements for stolen benefits dropped by 62% (from $555,000 down to $208,000).

What EBT Cardholders Need to Know

If you have yet to activate your card, do so immediately. Old magnetic-stripe-only cards will deactivate soon. Please activate your card today to avoid disruption to your benefits.

Follow the activation instructions included with your card, or call 1-800-997-2222.

Activation is not complete until you establish a new PIN.

Once you activate AND select a new PIN for your new card, your old card will stop working automatically.

Your benefit amount, current balance, and deposit schedule will NOT change.

If you did not receive a new card, please immediately:

Order a new card - Call EBT Vendor Services at 1-800-997-2222 and following the automated prompts to report a card as “lost, missing, or stolen;” or

Go to your local department of social services for assistance.

Note: If you have recently moved or changed your address, please update your address. You can do this online at MarylandBenefits.gov, by calling the DHS Call Center at 1-800-332-6347, or by visiting your local Department of Social Services.

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Release text attributed to Maryland Governor’s Office. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.