New survey reports out-of-state EBT theft on the rise in Pennsylvania, among other issues
(WJET/WFXP) – According to a new survey, Pennsylvania saw an increase in out-of-state benefit theft, among other issues regarding EBT cards.
Propel, an app aimed at helping people keep track of their EBT balance, surveyed their users to find what types of theft were most common and how those thefts were affecting recipients.
SNAP recipients: Lose groceries due to severe weather? Here's how you might qualify for replacement benefits
The survey claims that 68% of Pennsylvania victims reported having their benefits stolen on the same day they were deposited.
It also stated that 53% of victims have had their benefits stolen by out-of-state hackers, which is up more than 30% from 2024.
Warren police warning of impersonation phone scam
Due to these thefts, 51% of Propel app users in Pennsylvania stated concerns about their benefits being stolen, with 26% saying they avoid certain stores to avoid theft.
If you or someone you know has had their benefits stolen, you can report the theft to your local County Assistance Office.
To read the entire survey, which spans across several states, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
SNAP Benefit Theft Explodes Across US
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit transactions have increased by a staggering 55 percent between 2024 and 2025, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. Why It Matters SNAP benefits are issued to more than 40 million Americans across the country, providing monthly cash benefits to help low- and no-income families buy groceries. However, the program has been mired by criminals targeting recipients, with more than $100 million in food assistance benefits reported stolen since 2023 when public records began. What To Know SNAP benefits are administered to recipients through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which are loaded with money every month to use in participating retailers. Like regular debit or credit cards, they are subject to scams such as cloning, phishing or skimming. Between the final quarter of fiscal year 2024 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the total number of fraudulent SNAP transactions jumped from 444,553 to 691,604—an increase of 247,051, or 55 percent. It marks the largest jump in claims across a single time period since the USDA began publishing these records. Since the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, more than $102 million in stolen benefits has been replaced by the federal government, the dataset reveals. The new figures come as the USDA has vowed to crack down on SNAP benefit theft. The federal agency announced it had taken part in "targeted benefit fraud" operations in California in late April. Lawmakers in several states have also proposed action to stop SNAP fraud. In New York, a bill calling for EMV chips, which are used in credit and debit cards that make it more difficult to counterfeit or steal card information, to become standard on EBT cards has passed the state Senate. In Pennsylvania, SNAP users can now lock their EBT card through an app when not in use to prevent their benefits from being stolen. Late last year, the USDA ended the federal reimbursement of stolen SNAP benefits. For benefits stolen prior to December 21, 2024, these were in most cases reimbursed by the USDA, which funds the program. However, the funding required to repay theft victims was not approved by Congress in a continuing resolution passed by lawmakers in December. At the time, the federal agency said that "SNAP state agencies can choose to replace stolen benefits using state funds." In April, Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat, introduced the SNAP Secure Act of 2025, which calls for the reinstatement of federal funding to cover food stamp recipients who have been victims of fraud and theft. What People Are Saying USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement on May 2: "Fraud will not be tolerated by the Trump Administration. I want to thank our hardworking law enforcement officers who work every day to ensure federal benefits are properly distributed and safeguard taxpayer dollars from criminals. President Trump is restoring law and order. At USDA we are fighting back against fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars and ensuring those who need and qualify for benefits, actually receive them." Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat, said in a statement in April: "I intend to turn this legislation into a modified amendment to the next appropriations bill. If accepted, this legislation would ensure that those who have had their SNAP benefits stolen will be able to feed themselves and their families." What Happens Next? Whether SNAP thefts continue to rise at the same rate remains to be seen, with the next dataset likely to be published in the late summer or fall.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Rep. Vince Fong introduces SKIM Act to combat EBT fraud
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — For months, KGET has followed the EBT fraud crisis in Kern County. What started out as calls to our newsroom led to the revelation of dozens of victims and thousands of dollars in benefits stolen. The investigation shed light on millions of stolen dollars and a sophisticated Romanian crime ring operating across the county. After countless attempts of asking elected officials for answers, change may be coming from Capitol Hill. Skimming Scheme: The Romanian crime ring stealing EBT benefits in Kern County On Friday, Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) introduced the 'Stopping Klepto-card and Identity Misuse Act' — or SKIM Act. This legislative effort is specifically designed to crack down EBT theft, that is Electronic Benefit Transfer, known as CalFresh and CalWorks in California. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) is a co-sponsor of the bill. Through 17 News' investigation, we uncovered that the California Department of Social Services has lost more than $439 million in EBT benefits since 2021. In the last seven months, more than $2 million in Kern County taxpayer money has been stolen. Ex-Arvin teacher accused of sex with underage student set for hearing next week The SKIM Act directs the U.S. Attorney to coordinate federal, state, and local efforts to fight EBT fraud. It also asks sentencing guidelines to be much harder on EBT thieves. The bill also asks the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report to Congress on their efforts to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and sentence convicted EBT thieves. You can read the SKIM Act in full here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Alabama officials recommend locking food stamp cards to prevent out-of-state fraud
HUNTSIVLLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is recommending that all EBT cardholders utilize the new Lock/Unlock feature on the ConnectEBT app and website, especially the 'Lock Card Everywhere' option which will help block out of state fraud. From May 2023 to Dec. 20, 2024, Alabama DHR replaced $15.9 million of SNAP benefits due to EBT fraud. From October to December 2024, over 26,000 reimbursements were approved for $10.5 million. The Department believes that 100 percent of the funds were stolen from outside of the state. Data shows that around $1.8 million in Alabama EBT expenditures happened in the state of New York and around $2.2 million was spent in Pennsylvania. DHR said it believes most, if not all, of this is fraud. 'The very best thing our SNAP clients can do is lock their card when they aren't using it,' said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. 'With the funds being stolen by utilizing out of state EBT terminals, we believe using our newest feature on ConnectEBT and locking the EBT card will truly combat this type of fraud.' Clients can choose from two options when locking their card: 'Lock Card Everywhere' or 'Lock Card'. 'Lock Card Everywhere' completely locks cards to ALL purchases anywhere. The 'Lock Card' option will lock cards from purchases outside of Alabama but does allow online purchases. DHR strongly recommends the 'Lock Card Everywhere' option at all times when the card is not in use. In the event a card is used at a location for a food purchase, the business can access the amount due, even if the card is then immediately locked by the user. Authorization for the purchase is in real-time and based on the card status at the time of the transaction. If the card is locked when the card is swiped or keyed in, then the retailer's transaction will fail due to the locked card status. But if the cardholder locks the card, even if it is immediately AFTER the transaction is complete, the transaction would have already been authorized and completed and the transaction would be successful as long as available funds were in the account at the time of the purchase. EBT cardholders may also sign up for alerts through the ConnectEBT app and website. These alerts include account activity alerts through the app, text, and/or email. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.