Providers Privacy & Security Protocols
How does the Providers app work?
The Providers app works just like many other personal finance apps, including services like YNAB or CreditKarma, which aggregate information from other apps or websites into one, convenient place.
By agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, you let us access your EBT account information on a read-only basis. We collect your balance & transaction data, and display it in an easy-to-read format on your phone. This way, you don't always have to log into the EBT portal to check your balance.
How does Providers protect user data?
When you first connect your EBT account in our app, we only ask for the information required to log into your account — nothing more. This login information gives us read-only access to your EBT balance and past transactions, but does not allow us to make changes to your account.
We ask for and store as little of your information as possible, and we never store PINs, full EBT card numbers, or SSNs on our servers. We also employ 256-bit enterprise-grade encryption for all sensitive data, to ensure your data is never tampered with.
Your information is also protected by strong security measures. All data sent between our app and your EBT portal is encrypted, which means the information is turned into a code that cannot be read by anyone else, keeping your information safe from others. Our encryption technology also makes sure that your data has not been tampered with before it reaches Providers.
We're careful about the data we collect and never sell it. For internal use, like improving the app, we ensure the data is anonymous so it can’t be traced back to you.
My benefits were stolen, is that because I use Providers?
No. Protecting Providers users from theft is a top priority. Our company is built on earning and keeping the trust of people who use our app, and we take every measure possible to keep your data safe.
In the app, you cannot cannot spend or move your benefits, view or change your PIN, or modify your EBT account through Providers. This is because we do not store that information, and do not have access to it, meaning we can’t spend or move your benefits either.
Benefits theft happens most often because EBT cards use a magnetic stripe to make purchases and withdrawals. That stripe is an easy target for criminals who use “skimming” devices when people swipe their cards in stores and at ATMs, they steal all the information they need to make a duplicate card and then steal benefits. The Providers app never saves all the information needed to make a purchase, so theft is not possible through the app. There is zero data that indicates Providers users are more likely to be victims of benefits theft than people who do not use our app.
Why do so many people who have benefits stolen find out through Providers?
Providers is the #1 EBT balance checking app. It is used by more EBT cardholders than any other app, and more often. Because Providers is the first place millions of EBT cardholders go to check their balances, it is also the first place they notice unauthorized purchases.
Hackers cannot get information needed to steal benefits from an EBT card through Providers.
Protecting You From Benefits Theft
The Providers app helps you keep an eye on your EBT balance and transactions easily. This way, you can quickly spot if something’s wrong, like unauthorized use of your benefits. Many of our users have been able to spot, and report, benefits theft with the help of the Providers app.
“Just recently someone was able to use almost all of my food stamps off of my EBT card while my card was in my possession and how I found out was by regularly checking my EBT balance and transaction info through the Providers app.” - Kathryn, California
Learn more about protecting yourself from benefits theft.
Have questions? Email us at help@joinproviders.com.
Please note that Providers is not part of the government. If you have specific questions about SNAP or other benefits, contact your caseworker or local human services office