DCF Warns Floridians About Fake Public Assistance Websites, Apps

February 25, 2013

The Department of Children and Families is warning Florida residents about fake websites offering to help people apply for public benefits and asking for financial and credit card information.

To apply for public assistance, including Medicaid, cash or food assistance, in Florida, the only legitimate site is www.myflorida.com/accessflorida. Other sites are using ads, sometimes on the side of news articles, offering help filling out applications for public assistance benefits. These links may take visitors to another site where they are asked for personal information, including credit card information. DCF, its employees or service providers, will never ask for credit card information.

“We want our clients to safeguard this personal data just like they would any bank or financial information,” said Secretary David Wilkins. “Do not give your information out to any unauthorized or unknown website.”

The department also cautioned about various mobile applications have been produced for smartphones that request confidential information from clients who use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. To help maintain the security of an account, EBT users should never share information about an account with others, especially through websites or mobile applications. Several mobile apps called “EBT Buddy” have been developed for both iPhones and Android platforms and require EBT card and PIN numbers in order to check abalance. DCF said providing this information can put a user at risk for fraud.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News