SNAP Benefits Update: Are You a Victim of SNAP Scam? There's a Chance You Could Get Your Money Back!

SNAP benefits scam has been reported to have surged across the nation in October amid soaring grocery prices.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a warning regarding the matter, noting that it has received several reports of card skimming of EBT cards or Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.

The agency wrote in an alert that thieves place a device on a retailer's card-swiping machine to copy EBT card information.

Anyone who uses a card for payment transactions can be a victim of card skimming. Thieves then can use the stolen information to create fake EBT cards and drain the accounts.

The state of Arizona has reported an increase in SNAP benefits scams related to card skimming. The state's spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Tasya Peterson, said that fraud victims are widely affected, especially those in need of assistance.

Victims of SNAP benefits scam can ask retailers to reverse fraudulent transactions. However, EBT cards are not insured by the federal government, with lost or stolen benefits cannot be replaced.

SNAP Benefits Reimbursement

Most of the states do not issue a reimbursement for the victims of SNAP benefits scams.

The U.S. Agriculture Department noted that it does not keep a state-by-state list of skimming claims.

In Massachusetts, more than $1.6 million in SNAP benefits was stolen from over 5,000 households in a span of five months, from June to November.

Lawmaker Dutch Ruppersberger introduced legislation that would provide SNAP benefits reimbursement for SNAP benefits scam victims, which affected families across the country.

Ruppersberger said in his office's press release that SNAP benefits are being targeted and stolen at record levels across the country.

Only California and Washington reimburse stolen SNAP benefits, as of now.

The bill introduced by Ruppersberger will also help states collect data on SNAP theft to better identify the pervasiveness of the crime and strengthen efforts to improve the security of the EBT cards.

Ruppersberger is awaiting hearings for his bill, which has already earned bicameral support and bipartisan backing in the House.

Betsy Gwin, a senior attorney at the nonprofit poverty law and policy center Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, said she welcomes the proposed reimbursement solution in the omnibus.

The provision would only cover people whose benefits were stolen from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2024.

SNAP Benefits Scam

SNAP benefits recipients can take precautionary measures to avoid being a victim of scams. It is advised to contact your respective state SNAP office immediately if you believe you have been a victim of a SNAP benefits scam.

Recipients should cancel their EBT cards and request a new one immediately.

The state of California has a process for beneficiaries to follow if their benefits are stolen. However, it could take 28 days for the stolen benefits to be reimbursed in California.

SNAP benefits recipients should also change their PIN often. It could prevent thieves from stealing your benefits if they have gained access to your card's PIN.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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