March 12, 2025

Dear Community Partner,

This email is to inform you that today, March 12th, and tomorrow, March 13th, 2025, a second round of text notifications will be sent out to all SNAP households with cell phones from the official OTDA short code, 696832. This is a legitimate communication from OTDA, not a spam or scam message. The text will read as follows:

NY OTDA: You can now freeze your EBT card to protect your benefits. Learn how: otda.ny.gov/cardfreeze. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Msg & data rates may apply.

While the freeze card feature does not completely prevent theft of information via skimming devices or other fraudulent methods, households who freeze their EBT card when not in use have a significantly lower chance of having their benefits stolen.

OTDA encourages community partners to explain the advantages of using the freeze card feature to EBT cardholders, as well as posting this flyer in waiting areas and on their websites.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, and for all that you do every day to help New Yorkers in need.

Sincerely,

Office of Community Outreach

NYC Department of Social Services