So is it really against the law for us to manually type in EBT card numbers?

Date: Jun 25, 2018

So is it really against the law for us to manually type in EBT card numbers?

Going 4011 · Guru

I have never heard of any sort of law stipulating anything of the sort. Why have numbers there to begin with if that's the case?

With the usual disclaimer of "Policy may vary by store/division/district", in our store you can't hand-key any charge cards in *unless* they are Kroger gift cards or EBT cards (and of course we have to have physical access to the card).

EUID_Unknown · Guru

Its not against any law to manually enter any card, its just seen as more fraudulent. When customers slide/insert any card the machine registers how it was entered, if a customer calls a card issuer and stipulates "fraud" they will look at its entry method. With EBT, customers need a pin number, if the card is present and they have the pin number, they have enough information to process the payment. Anything "against the law" would normally be blocked in the POS system. Most rules are just enacted to product the company against fraud.

Date: Jun 25, 2018

Yeah, earlier in the year our store decided to make us stop punching in EBT cards manually as a new rule. This pissed off a lot of EBT customers who haven't replaced their old damaged cards. Apparently our store's been burned too many times by allowing that.

Some of them straight up do not want to accept it when we tell them we no longer allow that and think we are playing with them, so they demand to speak to a manager. Manager comes a long, tells them the same thing. Then they go off kicking and screaming, saying they will be calling corporate. They claim other stores type in the numbers for them.

One ACSM told me it was against the law, federal law or something, for us to type in the numbers. So was just curious, if it actually was.

EUID_Unknown · Guru

I don't know how the store gets "burned" as its only able to be processed with a pin number. Even when manually entering a card the pin number associated with the card is required. If the "owner" of the card/funds gives out their number or makes it too easy its on them.... I have never had an issue with a "EBT Chargeback", I know manual vouchers are horrible to process (at least back in the day).

Date: Jun 26, 2018

No it's not the customer has no clue what they are talking about and probably need more education. Their fear is if the cashier is good with numbers they might memorize it but you would still need their pin to enter it. They're naive if they choose the last four of their ssn or b-day. As that info can easily be googled if you know their first and last name. If you're not allowed to do it you can refuse the purchase. You can't just give them the items. It's no different when we key in a regular credit debit card number. Though with the chip those days are done. If it doesn't work on the machine it's not going to work.

Date: Feb 17, 2022

Deez nutz

Date: Feb 17, 2022

Anonymous wrote:
Deez nutz

Dis Troll ^

But back on topic, we do it at our store if the machine will not read the strip on the back of the card. What we will not do, however, is type in the customer's PIN. They have to be the ones to do that...even if, they authorize us to do so.

Date: Feb 20, 2022

It is here in Georgia

Date: Feb 20, 2022

Mr Frontenac wrote:
When the card's magnetic strip is just beyond damaged.

Trying to scam huh

Date: Feb 21, 2022

No. I've always manually entered it for the small percentage that come through with a failing to swipe card. Due to the fact that most people on ebt have really nasty dirty hands I just ask them to dictate it verbally to me. I'm not going to grab a card from someone who fails to wash their hands, probably does drugs and doesn't care too much about personal hygiene. Just hit eft on screen, clear and it'll display a screen you can manually enter it into. Hit enter then it'll display their side on the pin pad and they can finish.

Date: Feb 21, 2022

Mr Frontenac wrote:
When the card's magnetic strip is just beyond damaged.

That isnt gonna stop Afros wanting their chicken, crab legs and grape drink dawg. Best to type it in

Date: Mar 20, 2022

WOW!! "Most people on EBT have dirty hands, probably does drugs and doesn't care too much for personal hygiene??" You must have graduated top of your class from Judgemental Jesus School. Ever stop to consider the following O Holy 1, their hands may be "dirty" because they work in a trade where they get oil,grease, etc on their hands and clothing. Try to remember that next time your Ferrari breaks down. I'm willing to bet that there are more judgmental and narrow minded people who do not observe the soap & water law on your planet. Lastly, your drug comment is unwarranted and baseless. But hey sunshine, keep your head up because some day YOU might find yourself in a situation and need SNAP BENEFITS like us dirty, smelly, drug addicts. We don't take kindly to you clean, righteous, pure folks who have a silver spoon shoved so far up their ass that it affects common sense and manners. Also, next time you touch your face or rub your eyes remember this, those dollar bills you counted out were probably stuffed in a strippers ass crack at some point so I'm sure those hell fire sinning working class dirty lubed up drug addicted EBT card toting folks made sure they did not touch water so that they could give you pink eye!

Date: Mar 22, 2022

The pin is not really a defense. The card mightve been skimmed. Ive seen customers trying to use a photo, have numbers taped over the embossed numbers and refuse to let you handle the card. Im tired of scammers. They drive up costs and just irritate us in general. Yell all you want, call who you want. Just spell my name correctly. Please and thank you

Date: Mar 23, 2022

It's not our responsibility that THEIR card is in good working order.

Either it scans, or you walk..

Same with Driver's License.

Date: Mar 24, 2022

Anonymous wrote:
It's not our responsibility that THEIR card is in good working order.

Either it scans, or you walk..
Same with Driver's License.

WRONG. You enter the numbers in if it doesnt scam. Geez, another lazy associate.

Date: Apr 11, 2022

biggrin

mega-kitteh · Guru

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
It's not our responsibility that THEIR card is in good working order.

Either it scans, or you walk..
Same with Driver's License.
WRONG. You enter the numbers in if it doesnt scam. Geez, another lazy associate.

We scan id's if it doesn't scan in the customer terminal. If it wont scan on our register terminal... buh-bye

Same with EBT if it wont scan on the customer side, we'll try it on our side. If not...CYA

The ebt users are responsible for their own pins.

Date: May 16, 2022

So, according to you, people who receive food stamps, does drugs, has dirty hands, and doesn't care about personal hygiene? Are you mentally challenged or just completely ignorant? You're probably some disgusting 50 year old perv who still lives in your mommy's basement.

Date: May 16, 2022

Anonymous wrote:
So, according to you, people who receive food stamps, does drugs, has dirty hands, and doesn't care about personal hygiene? Are you mentally challenged or just completely ignorant? You're probably some disgusting 50 year old perv who still lives in your mommy's basement.

He said most not all. Try reading better black azz.

Date: May 20, 2022

As a SNAP retailer, you are legally responsible for your actions and the actions of everyone who works in your store, whether they are paid or not. When you applied to accept SNAP benefits, you agreed to fulfill certain training expectations. Here you can find resources that will help you to fulfill those expectations.

EBT Guidelines:

When an EBT card is swiped through a POS device, the device reads account information from the magnetic strip on the back of the card. If a strip is damaged, it wont be read by the POS device. If this happens, you may use the POS keys to enter the card number. Dont manually enter numbers from an EBT card unless the SNAP customer is present.

The customer must enter his or her PIN to authorize a key-entered transaction. SNAP rules allow key entry as a convenience for customers, but the customer should get a replacement card.

Dont use the manual key-entry method unless the POS device or the customers card is not working. If your POS device frequently fails to accept EBT cards, it may need to be serviced. FNS will monitor how often you use the key entry method and investigate suspicious behavior.

Date: May 21, 2022

It is here in Georgia-if a cashier has trouble with an EBT card, they need to call the manager on duty and they will make that determination to manually enter it or not

Date: May 28, 2022

written policy went out awhile back in Georgia if it doesnt swipe their ID must match the name on the card. If it doesnt match or if the card is taped, broken, etc. we dont type it in.

EUID_Unknown · Guru

If the card is present and not reading, the card can manually be keyed. Remember the customer still needs the PIN number to access the funds, so even keying in the card doesn't necessarily mean it will go through. In reality, use the same judgement as any other card payments......

Date: May 29, 2022

It is against the law cause cashier/associates will use it to steal your food. Dont let them tell you different the theefs

EUID_Unknown · Guru

Its not against the law, as a valid account number with available balance and PIN number is still required. If its against the law, how are some retailers allowed to accept the card online for pickup of delivery transaction?

Not everything is against the law or something you can sue someone over. Some transactions may be questionable, but that is a completely different situation.

Date: Aug 14, 2022

Bad ass!!! :) Hell yeah, my fellow dirty, stinky, nasty, never hygiene concerned, uneducated, not house broken, nor potty trained,addicted to hard street drugs, moonshine from the still out back and of course unprotected incest sex, brotha:) Tell Ma I said hi! Lol , I second your response...well put! Respect.

Date: Jun 23, 2023

not exactly it is not against the law to hand key an ebt card if the customer has the card in hand. It is illegal for us to hand key in that card if they only have a picture of their card online because we would then have to see the physical Identification to verify that they have the right to the use of this card. Which makes it more difficult if it is someone elses card like yor mothers card. Anyway to get around this rule the customer can always put the card number on their walmart account and they can just use walmart pay select that card and no hand keying is necessary then.

Date: Jun 23, 2023

It is. you are breaking the law. Employees cant be trusted with that kinda info even though yall make so much money an hour there. Get a manager.

Date: Jun 26, 2023

Talking to yourself?

If you don't like it, apply here. After all, true change comes from within. I promise you will be paid and scheduled poorly enough to keep both EBT and Section 8. If you have ambition, hourly management is still paid poorly enough for EBT, not sure about Section 8. Probably?

Anyways, which law? Let's see it.

Our offsite fuel centers don't accept EBT at all.

yall make so much money an hour there

This again?

A dime over minimum wage. Part time only.

Get a manager.

Bro bro bro.

Thank you. Just, thank you.

Typing it in requires a key flick.

Even if I do it, it won't go through without management override.

And they are required to say "No."

Or as autocorrect says, "Duck you."

Date: Jun 28, 2023

We need a manager approval here in Georgia to do this (even though technically is is against the law.)

Date: Jun 28, 2023

Its against the law **** around and find out

Date: Jun 29, 2023

Arrest me.

Handcuff me.

Beat me.

TAZE ME BRO

To set the scene

Date: Jun 30, 2023

Yes. We have never been able to do this. Even a couple decades ago. I know this pisses off ebt users but it really isn't that difficult to get the card replaced or those that can afford it to buy an inexpensive phone and use the wallet app.

Date: July 25th

I am a stripper/Hooker with multiple stds and I pay with a lot of 1 dollar bills. It tickles me pink inside watching cashiers count my money knowing it's been in my crotch and butt crack. It's even funnier when I see the cashier across from the strip club with pink eye or herpes on their lips when I see them the next time around. Idk why I do it. I just do.

Date: July 26th

It is against the rules to manually input any credit/debit/ebt/wic card. We can actually get in trouble for it. I had one lady not want to replace her card because her card was damaged and falling apart but she didn't understand how easy it was to replace them The gov will not cancel your active ebt card until you get your new one.

Date: July 27th

Its against the law. associates just trying to use this an excuse to commit identity fraud. Tired of these pond scum kroger cashiers. thieves!

Date: July 28th

It sure is in Georgia here (Local 1996 area)-but I think it is different in every state

Date: July 31st

shop elsewhere or only use self check out. Kroger cashiers are thieves and will make every attempt to steal your credit card number and ID for fraud

Date: August 7th

Some of the comments on here are absolutely disrespectful and ignorant.