Overview

• California’s Department of Social Services identified the non‑state app on Sept. 10 and alerted Apple that same day, spokesperson Jason Montiel said.
• The listing, titled “Ebt edge - food stamps,” requests EBT card details and charges $4.99 per week or $60 for lifetime access, and its icon shows a grocery cart and an EBT card.
• Officials emphasize the legitimate ebtEDGE service is free, and the state will not charge cardholders to use it.
• The app still appeared available as of Sept. 18, Apple had not provided a public response, and the developer could not be reached, according to the report.
• EBT users who suspect theft should contact their county office or call (877) 328-9677 to cancel and replace cards, with the warning set against 4.4 million cards in circulation and 80,620 fraud claims reported in Q1 FY2025.