Cyberattack Targets Georgia’s SNAP Call Center, Exposing Vulnerabilities for Thousands

We’ve heard of cyberattacks targeting businesses, government agencies, even hospitals — but this one takes the cake.

This week, hackers went after Georgia’s food assistance system, targeting the state’s SNAP benefits call center in a cyberattack that potentially put thousands of vulnerable families at risk. The attack, confirmed by the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), disrupted access to EBT account information and forced a shutdown of the state’s outsourced call center, operated by private contractor Conduent.

The cyberattack occurred Monday and was aimed at Conduent, a third-party contractor managing Georgia’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) call center and EBT services. According to DHS, automated bots attempted to breach Conduent’s interactive voice response (IVR) system, which allows users to access account details via phone.

The attack “forced a disruption in service and attempted to improperly access accounts,” a DHS spokesperson said. However, it remains unclear if any accounts were successfully compromised.

“At our request, Conduent deployed interim security measures,” DHS stated.

While Conduent did not confirm a breach, it acknowledged “an unusual spike in inbound calls” and said steps were taken to block suspicious activity. The company also operates the ConnectEBT app, which includes security tools that allow cardholders to lock their cards between purchases.

EBT Fraud on the Rise Nationally

This incident comes amid growing concerns about EBT fraud nationwide. Investigations by Atlanta News First and federal agencies reveal that international crime rings are behind many SNAP fraud schemes, with criminals cloning store point-of-sale systems to steal benefits.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed in a May statement that organized crime groups are exploiting vulnerabilities in SNAP systems. According to the USDA, approximately $350 million in SNAP benefits were stolen nationwide last year. Data shows EBT fraud spiked 350% in the last quarter of 2024 compared to the beginning of the year.

In Georgia and across the U.S., families have reported their monthly food benefits disappearing within minutes of being loaded onto their cards—sometimes showing purchases made simultaneously in multiple states. Many transactions appear to occur at locations not listed in the USDA’s approved retailer database.

DHS Urges Immediate Action from Cardholders

As a precaution, DHS is urging Georgia EBT recipients to take immediate action including changing your pin.

• Use the ConnectEBT app or website to:
  • Monitor balances and transactions
  • Lock and unlock your card
  • Set geographic restrictions (e.g., block out-of-state use)
  • Enable automatic locking after inactivity

With Conduent’s call center expected to remain down through the weekend, DHS recommends using the app or website for all account management until further notice.

Report SNAP Fraud

If you suspect or witness SNAP fraud, you can report it anonymously through the following:

• Phone: (800) 424-9121 or (202) 690-1202 (TDD)
• Mail: USDA Office of Inspector General, PO Box 23399, Washington, DC 20026-3399
• Online: Submit a report to the USDA OIG