For years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been the target of bad actors, and it has been on the rise in recent years. Due to the growing digitalization of the payment of benefits, through EBT cards (Electronic Benefit Transfer), and the theft that occurs mainly through the method of cloning cards, since hackers access the beneficiary’s funds and purchase in his name.
The period of highest theft activity was between the years 2020 and 2022, due to increased poverty and food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic, which led to increased use of SNAP benefits. According to USDA reports, SNAP-related fraud, such as EBT card skimming, skyrocketed as criminals found ways to exploit the digital benefits’ infrastructure.
States Where SNAP Benefits Theft Is Most Common
As expected, the greatest number of criminal acts related to the theft of SNAP benefits through cloning of EBT cards occurs in states with a greater concentration of beneficiaries. California, New York, Texas, and Florida are the states with the most beneficiaries and the highest number of robberies, respectively.
In these and other states, millions of dollars are stolen and thousands of families are left without their funds to make ends meet and put food on their tables.
Increase in Cases of Theft of SNAP Benefits in South Carolina
Since 2022 and to date, there has also been an increase in cases in South Carolina, where authorities have issued a serious warning to beneficiaries, since everyone could be at risk.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services has issued a series of steps that residents should follow if their SNAP benefits are stolen, following several recent cases of fraud in the state. Officials mentioned that, thanks to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, federal funds can be used to replace benefits stolen through card cloning.
This replacement only covers stolen benefits starting October 1, 2022 and must be requested before the end of September, 2024. It is the first time that both the Department of Social Services and the state’s SNAP recipients have been able to recover stolen benefits. Victims can check online to see if they qualify for replacement.
Learn How to Get Back Your Stolen SNAP Benefits
Those who have not yet reported the theft should call the DSS toll-free 24-hour line at 1-800-554-5268 to cancel their card. Beneficiaries who report stolen benefits must apply for a new EBT card, which will be verified along with an affidavit.
Once an EBT card has been replaced following a report of theft, a new one will not be issued, the agency clarified. DSS also shared recommendations from the Federal Trade Commission to protect SNAP benefits, such as avoiding using card readers with loose or off-center parts.
Beneficiaries should change their PIN regularly, at least once a month, before receiving new benefits. It is also important to be alert for potential phishing attempts, as neither state agencies nor EBT processors will request your PIN or card number by phone or text message.
Finally, SNAP recipients should check their accounts frequently for unauthorized charges. If they encounter any suspicious transactions, they should change their PIN number immediately and contact their local SNAP office to prevent future fraudulent purchases.
