Over $400 million stolen in EBT benefits from California since 2021
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — What started as dozens of complaints at the Human Services offices for stolen benefits evolved into the revelation of a years-long problem of EBT theft across California.
In response to a KGET request, the California Department of Social Services calculated its losses since 2021 at an astounding amount of $439 million in stolen EBT benefits.
Those losses started at less than $100,000 per month halfway through 2021 and skyrocketed ever since.
The state is now losing more than $10 million per month of taxpayers money to thieves who steal from EBT accounts assigned to other people. Recipients are reimbursed for their losses, but taxpayers must make up the losses.
Arrests and prosecutions are extremely rare.
In Kern County, only two cases have been filed against alleged EBT thieves and less than $80,000 of the $6.8 million stolen has been recovered. The state doesn't keep track of how much stolen money has been recovered statewide.
Reimbursements represent approximately less than 3% of benefits provided statewide, while millions of tax paying dollars are still unaccounted for.
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We asked the Department of Social Services how many cases are being investigated statewide on EBT theft.
We did not receive a concrete number for that question. The Department said it continues to work with local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to mitigate the theft of EBT benefits, and multiple investigations are ongoing and arrests have been made.
Lauren Kriewaldt got $800 of her benefits stolen on Feb. 2nd, and got her reimbursement a week later. 17 News talked to Kriewaldt at the Department of Human Services and she says she still struggled to get them back after calling and complaining to the human services department.
A video tutorial was posted back on Oct. 2022 on the state Social Service YouTube page that explains the rise of credit card fraud through skimming devices, while giving tips on how to keep safe from it.
As for 2025, EBT thefts do not appear to have slowed down statewide. In January 2025, over $14,181,029 in benefits were stolen. Of that, almost $200,000 was reported lost in Kern County by the DA's Office.
The Department continues pushing their ebtEDGE app to monitor benefits, while asking users to delete all other EBT benefits apps, as these could also be stealing user information.
The Kern County Department of Human Services provided the following information:
EBT website – www.ebt.ca.gov
CDSS website – www.cdss.ca.gov/ebt/ebt-electronic-theft-resources
EBT Helpline – 1-877-328-9677
Online help at www.BenefitsCal.com
DHS Call Center – 1-877-410-8812, or come into any DHS office location
Safety Measures include, downloading the mobile app using ebtEDGE Mobile App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Do not use other unauthorized sites. Utilizing the new EBT chip/tap card when received.
Another good idea would be to switch to receiving your benefits via direct deposit through your bank.
To report suspected fraud, contact fraudprevention@dss.ca.gov
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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