EBT Theft Investigation for SIU 

Fraud Navigator

County SIU staff can access ebtEDGE to review historical transaction data for investigations. The EBT vendor, Fidelity Information Services (FIS), also provides a portal in ebtEDGE called Fraud Navigator to assist the California Department of Social Services and interested counties in combating EBT theft.

 

The CDSS can provide counties with an overview of Fraud Navigator’s functions and access to this part of ebtEDGE for conducting live ATM monitoring independently or with the CDSS's assistance.  The SIU can email their request for an overview, training, and access to Fraud Navigator to FraudCoordinator.DSIB@dss.ca.gov.

CDSS EBT Fraud and Theft Detection Unit 

Operations Assistance

The CDSS created a new law enforcement unit, the EBT Fraud and Theft Detection Unit, which collaborates closely with County SIUs and law enforcement agencies to participate in numerous operations to ensure accountability for those responsible for this crime. To continue these collaborative efforts, county SIU and law enforcement staff should contact CDSS’s law enforcement unit to coordinate any EBT theft activities related to operations, such as requesting Fraud Navigator alerts and/or ATM monitoring and operation outcomes.

Sharing Intelligence and Arrest Information Across Counties

California EBT Fraud Network (CEFN) collaboration site, which is hosted through the Western States Information Network (WSIN), serves as a centralized hub for intelligence, deconfliction, and information sharing related to California EBT fraud, such as suspects, investigations, and trends.

To request access to CEFN, county SIU and law enforcement staff should email EBT.Investigations@dss.ca.gov. 

 

County SIUs are reminded to use the WSIN to share any information related to EBT theft.

 

The WSIN is one of six Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Centers funded by Congress through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The WSIN provides criminal intelligence information and case and event deconfliction for law enforcement investigations occurring in Alaska, California, 
Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. For more information about the WSIN and assistance with gaining access, SIU and law enforcement staff can email info@wsin.riss.net or call (800) 952-5258.

Request for EBT Transaction Data post-operation

County SIUs and law enforcement agencies may need assistance obtaining EBT transaction data to support investigations and criminal prosecutions of those responsible for EBT theft. To request additional data, only the SIU or law enforcement staff can contact the CDSS EBT Fraud and Theft Detection Unit via email at EBT.Investigations@dss.ca.gov or call 916-662-0693 to obtain the information.

Inquiries are evaluated based on the authority code. If an inquiry lacks information, a call or email to the CDSS EBT Fraud and Theft Detection Unit should be made to provide additional information.

When law enforcement entities obtain a subpoena or warrant that needs to go to the custodian of the record, EBT transaction data must be obtained by contacting FIS directly at:

eFunds Corporation
c/o C T Corporation System 
1200 South Pine Island Road 
Plantation FL 33324

Compromised EBT Card Reports

CDSS’s EBT Fraud and Theft Detection Unit can provide county SIU staff with reports to prevent EBT theft upon request. These reports provide information on compromised cards where there is a high probability that the card was skimmed. Counties may proactively contact their respective recipients to replace their compromised cards. SIU can contact the EBT Investigation unit if interested in receiving these reports.

 

Reference Guide for EBT Theft Support

The following chart provides the county SIU with the correct contact for EBT support.

For EBT-related policy and scenarios, refer to:   SIU Referral Criteria in the Common Place Handbook.