SNAP Benefits 2022: Scammers Are Stealing Your SNAP Numbers and Money | Here's What You Can Do

SNAP benefits 2022 recipients are seeing their funds being taken out of their accounts before they recognize what is happening.

SNAP benefits, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal program that assists low- and no-income families in the U.S. in purchasing food.

KFOR News reported that around $1,000 in government assistance dollars was taken by someone in California.

Katherine Henderson and her family of five have been among the victims of SNAP benefits theft. Henderson said that she received the bad news at the grocery store, took the receipt, and saw only $20 remaining in her account. She noted that stores had "skimmers on their self-checkout," and people have been stealing SNAP numbers through the skimmers.

The stolen SNAP benefits are non-refundable, with Henderson saying that the Department of Human Services stating that they will not be reimbursed for the said situation.

SNAP Benefits Theft

Alerts for consumers out of Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin also reported a rise in SNAP benefits theft, with credit card skimmers likely behind the crime. The DHS received 141 reports in all of 2021, while this year saw 290 reported cases as of May 9.

In Maryland, fraud reports have increased, with 93 cases reported to Maryland DHS in April 2022. It is compared to eight cases in the previous year, according to a WMAR2News report. Maryland DHS explained they cannot replace stolen funds as federal regulations will not allow it.

A DHS spokeswoman said that the state can replace program benefits when food is destroyed in a household misfortune. However, it does not address situations where benefits are stolen, nor does it say that a state cannot replace benefits with its own funds.

Meanwhile, Washington D.C.'s Human Services department also warned its customers in light of the increase in stolen benefits. However, they are reimbursing victims with local funds.

SNAP Benefits Scam

A woman from Phoenix, Arizona noticed that some of the funds were taken from her Electronic Benefits Transfer card without her authorization out of state.

Cindy Suarez said in a 12 News report that she went to go pick up some snacks and realized that her balance was low, which alarmed her. Suarez noted that a $2 transaction was made first at a Ralph's in California, according to representatives. She added that a second transaction happened nine miles away and around an hour and 20 minutes later at El Super and was worth $149.50.

Arizona Department of Economic Security spokesperson Brett Bezio said in a statement that being a victim of fraud has a serious impact on families in need of assistance, mainly during the holidays.

DES recommends not keeping large balances in the account, changing the PIN for the card regularly, and freezing the card between transactions. Freezing the card be done through the ebtEDGE website and mobile app.

In addition, EBT cardholders who notice fraud are advised to contact FIS, DES's EBT card vendor to address the matter.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Valley woman has no way to recoup stolen SNAP benefits before the holidays - from 12 News