Savannah Warns of Fake AI-Generated EBT Card Giveaway

City says no such event is taking place, calls it a cruel April Fools' prank.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:07pm

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The City of Savannah is warning residents about a false social media post and flyer that claim the city is giving away free EBT cards at the Civic Center. The city says this information is not true and that no such event is taking place. The city is actively investigating the source of the misinformation, which has caused confusion and inconvenience for many residents.

Why it matters

Spreading false information about government assistance programs can take advantage of vulnerable residents and create unnecessary chaos. The city is taking this seriously to maintain trust in official channels and prevent further disruption.

The details

According to the city, an AI-generated flyer and social media post are circulating that claim free EBT cards are being distributed at the Civic Center. However, the city states this is not true and no such event is taking place. Workers are currently turning away individuals who arrived based on this misinformation, and staff are managing a high volume of calls and concerns from residents.

  • The false information started circulating on April 1, 2026.

The players

City of Savannah

The local government of Savannah, Georgia, which is warning residents about the false information.

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What they’re saying

“The City of Savannah wants to make residents aware of an AI-generated flyer and social media post circulating that claims free EBT cards are being distributed at the Civic Center.”

— City of Savannah

What’s next

The city is actively investigating the source of the false information.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the potential for AI-generated misinformation to cause real disruption and confusion, especially when it involves sensitive government assistance programs. The city is working to maintain trust in official channels and prevent further inconvenience to residents.