What To Do If Your SNAP Benefits Are Stolen [Guide]

SNAP benefits stolen have been a rampant problem that has been pestering its beneficiaries for years, with a LexisNexis Risk Solutions study concluding that the lack of fraud mitigation methods cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Fraud mitigation methods include multi-layered solutions and fraud solutions.

Consumer Data Industry Association noted that identity-related fraud is the main factor of SNAP agency fraud losses and is present in 31% of reported cases.

Following identity theft is fraud from account takeovers, which account for 25%; eligibility fraud account for 24% of the reported case; and trafficking of benefits account for 20%.

The study from LexisNexis Risk Solution noted that the lack of fraud prevention for SNAP benefits cost SNAP agencies $3.72 for every $1 of benefits lost through fraud.

Some low-income households that have been robbed of the funds to purchase food are not getting reimbursed.

SNAP Benefits Stolen

Thieves are using hidden "skimming" devices to steal SNAP benefits from beneficiaries.

The U.S. Agriculture Department issued a warning in recent months due to the rise of electronic thefts.

NBC News reported that Electronic Benefits Transfer cards are not subjected to federal protections that shield credit and debit card holders in the event of fraud.

Even if there is evidence that card data has been compromised, only certain states will use state funding to reinstate skimmed SNAP benefits, such as California, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

However, reports of card skimming extend far beyond those areas, with the Agriculture Department admitting that it does not keep a state-by-state list of claims related to skimming, aside from Massachusetts.

More than $1.6 million in SNAP benefits were stolen in Massachusetts from over 5,000 households from June to November.

Security experts say that skimming usually happens without the victims' or store owners' knowledge.

What To Do If Your SNAP Benefits Stolen

A spokesperson with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service confirmed in February that no SNAP state agencies use chip cards. However, the agency is continuing to look at the technology that can improve access and security.

A spokesperson said in a statement to 11Alive that card skimming affects those who rely on their benefits to buy food for themselves and their families.

There are certain steps that SNAP benefits beneficiaries can take to avoid falling victim to card skimming, such as inspecting machines or PIN pads regularly to look for tampering and changing PIN often, at least once a month.

In addition, beneficiaries should check their EBT account regularly to see if there are unauthorized charges.

Congress passed a law to protect and replace SNAP benefits stolen through card skimming in late December 2022.

The law mandates states to replace such benefits that were stolen between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024.

Through the measure, states can now use federal funds to provide these replacements, which cannot exceed the actual amount stolen or the household's benefit allotment amount for two months after the theft.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Scammers stealing SNAP benefits, charges coming from closed store - from CBS Chicago