DHR stops tracking EBT fraud reports — News 5 investigates
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — WKRG News 5 is responding to the many reports viewers have sent in about their EBT benefits being stolen.
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After hundreds of dollars are wiped from their account, they are receiving no relief after congressional funding expired in December.
'It's almost like they didn't care,' fraud victim Sarah Smith said.
In January, Smith woke up to find nearly $300 wiped from her SNAP benefits account.
'I wanted to throw my hands up, I wanted to cry because that's all I had for that month,' Smith explained.
She said her account stated two separate transactions over $150 from a deli in New York when Smith lives in Atmore Ala.
'I was like, oh my god, I've never been to New York, and I got my benefits stolen from New York, like how in the world did this happen?' Smith said.
According to the Department of Human Resources, between September and December 2024, $12.4 millions of benefits were replaced. But since funding expired in December, DHR has not kept track of how many people have reported the theft.
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Even though they still recommend that victims report the fraud.
'They don't care. They're letting the criminals and stuff get away with doing this,' Smith said.
We reached out to congressional representative Shomari Figures to see if any relief will be coming in the future.
He sent back this written statement:
'This is simply wrong — families who rely on SNAP benefits shouldn't be left with nothing because of theft. I'm working on this issue currently on the House Agriculture Committee. We must equip states to replace the stolen benefits, and we need to implement a more modern system that is more secure than what we currently have. We also need to focus law enforcement on identifying and prosecuting those who are stealing these benefits.'
Smith said people do not realize how crucial SNAP benefits are to people who receive them.
'It's very important because when I didn't get mine for that month, I didn't know how I was going to eat or how my family was going to eat,' Smith said.
She still has not received any relief from that month.
DHR also recommends changing your EBT card PIN every day and downloading the ConnectEBT app.
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I reached out to Governor Kay Ivey's office; her spokesperson referred me to Alabama DHR.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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