A scam targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, with claims that their benefits card has been locked, is making the rounds in Oneida County, according to county officials.

The scam comes in the form of a text message from either a New York City agency or another website that appears to be legitimate. The text tells the potential victim that their benefits card has been blocked, with a telephone number to call to fix the problem, authorities said.

When the victim calls the number, an automated message tells them to enter their SNAP benefit account number and their PIN. This will then give the scammer access to their benefits account.

The warning comes from the Oneida County District Attorney's Office and the Oneida County Department of Family and Community Services, Social Services Division. They said numerous Oneida County residents have been reporting the scam in recent days.

Social Services does not use text messaging to contact recipients about their SNAP benefits, officials said. Such texts should be ignored, and recipients should not give out their account numbers or PINs to anyone, authorities warned.

If there is any doubt about your account, contact Social Services yourself to double check.