Latest news with #OSIG
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
DHS launches security feature allowing SNAP users to digitally lock EBT cards
May 18—WILKES-BARRE — The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) this week launched a new security feature that allows Pennsylvanians who receive public benefits to lock their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card when not in use to prevent those benefits from being stolen. EBT cards are used for benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other cash benefits. "When someone's SNAP benefits are stolen from their EBT card, that means they may not be able to feed themselves or their families that month," said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. "That is unacceptable. DHS has been working diligently with our partners in OSIG to ensure that the benefits we administer stay with the Pennsylvanians who need them." DHS and OSIG are aware of recent instances of SNAP theft in Pennsylvania and nationwide, especially in incidents of card skimming, where SNAP benefits are stolen off EBT cards after they are used at a point-of-sale machine with an attached skimming device. The new card lock feature is one way individuals can protect their EBT cards while they are not in use. DHS continues to refer suspected cases of SNAP theft to OSIG to further investigate. "OSIG is committed to protecting Pennsylvania's public benefits programs," said State Inspector General Michelle Henry. "The new card lock feature is one way SNAP recipients can protect their benefits against theft and continue to put food on their table. OSIG is proud to partner with DHS on the announcement of the EBT card lock feature which provides an extra layer of security for these life-sustaining benefits." Pennsylvania will offer a new EBT card-lock safety feature available through ConnectEBT. Locking an EBT card blocks all purchases, balance inquiries and transactions to keep benefits secure. EBT cardholders should always lock their card when it is not in use, then simply unlock before making a purchase, officials said. SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients can lock and unlock their EBT cards using the free ConnectEBT app, available on Apple and Google Play app stores, or via the Connect EBT website. Upon creating or logging into their ConnectEBT app or website user account, recipients can tap the Lock/Unlock Card button. There are two options for the card lock feature: —"Lock My Card Everywhere" will prevent all types of purchases, including in-store and online purchases. —"Lock My Card Outside PA" will prevent all purchases at stores outside Pennsylvania but will still allow purchases in Pennsylvania and will also allow all internet purchases. Users should simply re-lock their card after use or use the auto re-lock feature to automatically re-lock the card 30, 60 or 90 minutes after unlocking. Prevent card skimming Skimming does not just happen immediately after a card is swiped; thieves often collect access information like a PIN and continue to steal benefits to maximize their gain. DHS urges benefit recipients to lock their EBT card and change their PIN monthly to further prevent theft. Pennsylvanians are urged to take an extra look before swiping their card at a point-of-sale machine to ensure there is no skimming attachment. Skimming devices, often called skimmers, are designed to blend in and deceive customers, but there are ways to identify a fraudulent device: —Observe the size. Skimming devices are often placed over the legitimate card reader. Making them larger than legitimate card readers. —Pull at the edges of the point-of-sale device before use. Skimming devices are often attached with glue or tape. —Look for security stickers. Some legitimate devices may have a security label or holographic decal on the front or top of the card reader. If your SNAP benefits are stolen from an EBT card, that theft should be immediately reported to local law enforcement and to OSIG by calling 1-800-932-0582. Hearing on chronic absenteeism and truancy held The Senate Education Committee held a public hearing on Monday, May 12, to examine the growing issue of chronic absenteeism and truancy in Pennsylvania schools and explore policy solutions to improve student attendance and long-term success. The hearing featured testimony from a wide range of professionals, including representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the American Enterprise Institute, school counselors and administrators, magisterial district judges, and human services officials from Allegheny County. Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Sunbury, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, thanks the testifiers for their insight and emphasized the importance of continued focus on the issue. "Chronic absenteeism is often a sign that a student is facing challenges beyond the classroom — whether it's family instability, health concerns, or a lack of school engagement," Culver said. "Solving this issue requires early intervention, flexibility, and collaboration between schools, courts, and community-based services." Culver said that input gathered during the hearing will inform future legislative efforts aimed at reducing absenteeism, supporting schools and families, and ensuring students have every opportunity to succeed. Bill to combat construction worker exploitation passes State Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-Scranton, this week announced that his legislation to crack down on the exploitation of construction workers through misclassification has passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. House Bill 721 would strengthen and expand the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act, originally enacted to combat the illegal practice of classifying employees as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits and protections guaranteed under state law. "Misclassification cheats workers out of wages, benefits, and critical protections like unemployment and workers' compensation," Donahue said. "These are the same hardworking individuals doing the same jobs as properly classified employees, but they are denied the rights they deserve. This legislation brings fairness and justice to those workers." The Keystone Research Center estimates that the misclassification of construction workers costs Pennsylvania taxpayers an estimated $83 million in lost workers' compensation premiums, $47 million in unpaid state income taxes, and $11 million in unemployment compensation taxes annually. Additionally, a report from the Joint Task Force on Misclassification of Employees found that in 2021 alone, nearly 11,000 misclassified workers in Pennsylvania were injured or became ill on the job and were denied workers' compensation benefits. The task force also reported $91 million in lost revenue to the state's Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund. "This isn't just about protecting workers — it's about protecting taxpayers and leveling the playing field for law-abiding contractors," Donahue said. "Construction jobs should be good, family-sustaining jobs. But when bad actors misclassify workers, everyone loses — except the dishonest employer." House Bill 721 would implement several unanimous recommendations made by the task force and takes critical steps to strengthen enforcement. The bill would: —Increase penalties on contractors who knowingly misclassify employees. —Empower the state Attorney General to investigate and prosecute cases of misclassification. —Allow misclassified employees to bring civil action against their employers. "With rising living costs and economic pressures, the last thing Pennsylvania workers should have to worry about is being robbed of their hard-earned wages and benefits," Donahue said. House Bill 721 heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
New security measure will allow users to lock EBT cards, prevent theft
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A new security feature will help those who receive public benefits lock down their cards to prevent thieves from getting access to their benefits. The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) spoke about a feature that will allow electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to be locked and therefore prevent thieves from accessing their funds. EBT cards are often assigned to those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, among others. Recent instances of SNAP theft have been reported in Pennsylvania, leaving those in need with nothing. That's what's so important about the new measure through the Connect EBT app. Pennsylvania law cracking down more on distracted driving to go into effect soon 'When someone's SNAP benefits are stolen from their EBT card, that means they may not be able to feed themselves or their families that month. That is unacceptable. DHS has been working diligently with our partners in OSIG to ensure that the benefits we administer stay with the Pennsylvanians who need them. We are proud to announce this new card lock safety feature that allows you to lock your EBT card when not in use to protect your SNAP and cash benefits from skimming and theft,' DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh said. 'I encourage all Pennsylvanians who receive SNAP or other cash benefits to download the free, secure ConnectEBT app and take advantage of the easy-to-use locking feature today.' How do you lock and unlock an EBT card with ConnectEBT? Those who receive benefits can lock and unlock their EBT cards using the free, and secure ConnectEBT app, available on Apple and GooglePlay app stores, or via the Connect EBT website. Upon creating or logging into their ConnectEBT app or website user account, recipients can simply tap the Lock/Unlock Card button. There are two options for the card lock feature: in-store'Lock My Card Everywhere' will prevent all types of purchases, including in store and online purchases. 'Lock My Card Outside PA' will prevent all purchases at stores outside Pennsylvania, but will still allow purchases in Pennsylvania and will also allow all internet purchases. Users are also advised to re-lock their card after they use it, or to enable a re-lock feature that would automatically relock an EBT card after a certain time has passed after a purchase. You can learn more about the card lock security measure, how to report stolen benefits and other ways to prevent card skimming on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
12-05-2025
- Axios
Why Virginia's only youth prison is under state investigation
Virginia's only youth prison is once again under investigation. The big picture: Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, located in Chesterfield, has been the subject of mounting scrutiny among lawmakers, advocates and families over conditions that a former employee has described as "completely inhumane." Incarcerated youth setting fires at the facility has become a persistent problem. Chesterfield Fire & EMS responded to 45 calls at Bon Air between February 2024 and February 2025. In a March letter, the county's fire chief wrote that the pattern reflects "much deeper issues at the facility that must be addressed" by the Department of Juvenile Justice, which operates the center. Later that same month, police charged a former correctional officer with sexually assaulting a teenage girl at Bon Air, WTVR reported. Detectives believe there may be more victims. Driving the news: Last week, Virginia's Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) announced it's opening an investigation into Bon Air after the Commission on Youth requested one in early April. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the commission voiced concerns at a meeting last month about the allegations of ongoing fires, understaffing and youth being locked in cells for up to two days without showers. What they're saying: In that meeting, DJJ director Amy Floriano acknowledged the critical staffing issues, said the fires were started by only a small number of residents and shared that youth receive "hygiene kits" while in lockdown, per WTVR. DJJ has also said they welcome and support OSIG's review. Zoom in: Staffing shortages, a nationwide issue, were a major concern in a third-party audit last year that the DJJ commissioned, reports VPM. The audit found that, because of limited staffing, Bon Air has "halted or reformatted nearly all of its programming," including education and mental health services. And the loss of programming can lead to "boredom and idleness," per the report, which can lead to an "uptick in violence" and "staff feeling unsafe."
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
SNAP funds stolen from 17 Pennsylvanians, over $8,000 lost
(WBRE/WYOU) — The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) announced charges are being filed against a suspect who stole SNAP funds from 17 Pennsylvanians and spent over $8,000. State Inspector General Michelle A. Henry states felony charges have been filed against an individual for stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds from the EBT card accounts of 17 Pennsylvanians and spending a total of $8,237.09 of those benefits in multiple states. According to the criminal complaint, the suspect stole SNAP benefits from 17 people and used those stolen benefits to make purchases in the York, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland, areas. Investigators say the theft occurred in February 2023, and the victims live in Cumberland and Dauphin Counties. Despite the victims never losing possession of their EBT cards, the suspect used their card information to make purchases, OSIG explains. Officials believe the suspect purchased bulk quantities of Red Bull Energy Drinks, candy, and baby formula, which are popular items to resell in domestic and international markets. 24 charged with multi-million bank fraud scheme OSIG has charged the suspect with 35 felony and misdemeanor counts of access device fraud, theft by deception, and identity theft. 'Stealing SNAP benefits is preying upon those in need. We are committed to working hard every day to protect our most vulnerable residents from those who steal their SNAP funds,' stated State Inspector General Henry. The suspect is charged out of the Cumberland County Magisterial District Court, and an arrest warrant remains outstanding. Pennsylvanians who believe their benefits have been stolen should contact their County Assistance Office (CAO) for assistance in receiving a new EBT card and should report the crime to OSIG (1-800-932-0582) and their local police department. OSIG urges Pennsylvanians to change their PIN at least monthly before each SNAP payment date and to take an extra look before swiping their card. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
Individual charged with stealing SNAP benefits from 17 Pennsylvanians
(WHTM)– An individual has been charged for allegedly stealing SNAP funds from the EBT accounts of 17 Pennsylvanians in February 2023, according to the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG). The OSIG said the individual allegedly spent a total of $8,237.09 in benefits in York County and Baltimore, Maryland areas. The individual, who was not identified, has been charged with 35 felony and misdemeanor counts of Access Device Fraud, Theft by Deception, and Identity Theft. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'SNAP is a lifeline that helps people feed their families and themselves – one of the most core, essential needs we all have as people,' said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. 'Theft of SNAP benefits is a threat to the health and wellbeing of victims of these crimes, and the Shapiro Administration is working hard to educate SNAP recipients and implement new protections on EBT cards to protect this life-sustaining resource, and we appreciate the work and diligence of OSIG and our partners in law enforcement working to identify and take action against this theft.' According to the OSIG, the individual stole the EBT card information of victims living in Dauphin and Cumberland Counties and used it to purchase Red Bull energy drinks, candy, and baby formula in bulk. The OSIG said the purchased items are popular for resale in foreign and domestic markets. 'Stealing SNAP benefits is preying upon those in need,' said State Inspector General Michelle A. Henry. 'We are committed to working hard every day to protect our most vulnerable residents from those who steal their SNAP funds.' Pennsylvanians who believe their SNAP benefits have been stolen should report the crime to OSIG at 1-800-932-0582 and contact their County Assistance Officer to receive a new EBT card. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
