Don’t download phony EBT app from Apple, warns California Social Services Department

The California Department of Social Services, which manages food programs, financial assistance, child care, foster care and other support for families across the state, is warning electronic benefit transfer cardholders about a fraudulent mobile application impersonating the agency’s official application in the Apple App Store.

The phony app, called “Ebt edge – food stamps” imitates the official FIS ebtEDGE Mobile App and charges users a $4.99 weekly fee or $60 for lifetime access. The state’s application does not charge cardholders a fee.

The department sent out a statewide email alert to all county welfare departments informing them of the fraudulent mobile application so they can share the information with their clients, adding that any EBT cardholder who suspects they may have experienced benefits theft should immediately contact their local county office.

“DPSS is urging customers to be aware of a third-party mobile application, Ebt edge – food stamps, available in the Apple iOS App Store, which mimics the State of California’s official FIS ebtEDGE Mobile App,” the alert from the Los Angeles Department of Public Services read. “Please continue to use the official, state-supported app only.”

“Do not download or use this app. California will never charge EBT cardholders to use the official EBT app: FIS ebtEDGE app,” the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services posted to social media. “To protect your benefits and personal information, please continue use the official, state-supported app only.”

EBT cards function similar to debit cards and can be used to access government-issued benefits, like SNAP, for food and cash assistance. The benefits are automatically loaded onto the card each month and can be used at approved retailers for eligible food items or cash withdrawals. 

The fraudulent mobile application only prompts users to enter their EBT card balance details and does not request any personally identifiable information or cardholder information, Theresa Mier, a spokesperson for CDSS, told StateScoop in an email.

California’s official EBT mobile application is free and was developed by its EBT vendor, Fidelity Information Services. It allows users to reset their EBT card PINs, freeze or unfreeze their EBT cards and block out-of-state or internet transactions.

Mier said the department reported the fraudulent application to Apple’s App Store in an attempt to get it removed, but did not share when the report was filed, nor when the fake app was discovered.

EBT card theft occurs in every state, but has significantly affected New York and California, which have reported the highest number of stolen benefits claims and monetary losses so far in 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.