EBT Transaction Protection and Security
Transaction Restrictions from ebtEDGE
Cardholders instantly secure their card and protect their benefits by enabling transaction restrictions from the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal or Mobile Application.
Cardholders will have the advantage of setting transaction restrictions on the card by using the “Protect My Account” feature under Account Services. As we see an increase in fraud, this brings a new opportunity for cardholders to make their benefits secure. This new feature will allow cardholders to:
- Block Out-of-state Transactions
- Block Internet Transactions
What types of transactions will be blocked when a user restricts out-of-state transactions?
When a user selects to block out-of-state transactions, any POS transaction that originates from a store outside of the cardholder’s state will be rejected. The FIS system will check the store's address against the card’s State issuing agency to determine if the transaction should be declined.
Example: A Florida cardholder enabled the block and tries to make a purchase from Walmart in Nevada while on vacation, the system will decline/reject the transaction.
Internet purchases with a delivery address outside of the cardholder’s state will also be rejected when this restriction is enabled by the cardholder. The FIS system will check the delivery address against the card’s State issuing agency to determine if the transaction should be declined.
Example: A Washington cardholder enabled the block and tries to make a purchase through Walmart Online, delivering to an Oregon address, the system will decline/reject the transaction.
What types of transactions will be blocked when a user restricts internet transactions?
When a user sets the Block Internet Transactions restriction, the FIS system will block any transaction with Internet as the source of the transaction.
How does an ebtEDGE user set transaction restrictions?
Users will log in to the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal or the ebtEDGE Mobile Application. From there, they can select Protect My Account. This option will display toggles to turn the restriction on or off. Please note this is driven by the cardholder who creates a user account; these restrictions will only be enabled/disabled by the cardholder.
What if the cardholder has issues setting/removing the restriction?
The cardholder can call the number on the back of their card to get assistance. CSRs will be able to coach the user through the login process to the setting/resetting of the restriction. CSRs will not have the ability to change this restriction on the cardholder's behalf.