Latest news with #SNAPEBT
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Illinois man was attacked online after scammers shopped at his store with SNAP funds stolen from Texas
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the country's biggest food-benefit program, according to the USDA. In 2023, an average of 42.1 million people received monthly SNAP benefits. The USDA says that over 250,000 retailers across the U.S. accept SNAP benefits. However, one Illinois retailer recently got into trouble for that. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) According to a CBS News Chicago report, Alsham Supermarket and Bakery in Lombard, Illinois, was on the receiving end of bad online reviews after SNAP recipients in other states had their benefits fraudulently used there. But Ardavan Nazari, who owns the store, insists he did nothing wrong. "People, they point their fingers. They're upset and they're mad because somebody stole their information. But the one who stole the information is not us," Nazari told CBS News Chicago. Unfortunately, it's not difficult for criminals to steal people's SNAP benefits. The process is similar to stealing a credit card or debit card number. Criminals can use skimming devices and hidden cameras to capture SNAP EBT data. EBT is the electronic system that lets SNAP users pay for purchases using their benefits. Think of it as a SNAP-specific debit card. Once criminals have that data, they can replicate actual SNAP EBT cards and use whatever funds are on them to buy things for themselves. That's what happened at Nazari's Chicago-area store. When the situation became clear, customers started writing negative reviews online about Alsham Supermarket and Bakery stealing their money. Nazari was upset when he saw the accusations. "I have been here five years, working very hard on this store," he told CBS News. "We're working hard here to get good reviews, good staff, good inventory." Nazari tried contacting some of the people who wrote negative reviews about his business. "I start asking them over the phone questions like, 'Somebody stole your card? Or you give your card to someone?'" he told CBS News. "And they said, 'No, we have the card in the hand.'" Two of the people whose SNAP benefits were used at Nazari's store live in Houston. In late February, Kimberley Edwards tried to use her SNAP benefits at a local store and was told by the cashier that she only had $13 left. "It was just devastating," she told CBS News. "My main concern was, how was I going to supply food for my son?" Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs When Edwards checked to see where her balance had gone, she saw a $432 transaction for Alsham Supermarket and Bakery. "I've never been to Illinois," she said. Something similar happened to another Texas resident, Lakeda Cunningham, in April. "I went to Dollar General to purchase drinks, and when I swiped the card and put the code in, the cashier told me that it was insufficient funds," Cunningham told CBS News. "I was like, 'That's not possible because my money just posted on April 18th, six days ago." It turned out someone had used Cunningham's SNAP benefits to charge $162.11 at Alsham Supermarket and Bakery that same day. "I've never been to Illinois," Cunningham said. "Period." The USDA says that in the fourth quarter of 2024, approximately 446,000 fraudulent SNAP transactions were reported, affecting almost 144,000 households. In Illinois, SNAP fraud has been a huge issue. From October 2022 to December 2024, almost $21 million in SNAP benefits were stolen, CBS News reported, citing data from the Illinois Department of Human Services. That amounted to almost 124,000 fraudulent transactions and impacted over 38,000 households. The state urges anyone experiencing SNAP fraud to report it here. But while SNAP fraud clearly has the potential to hurt the program's beneficiaries, it can also hurt innocent retailers, including small businesses like Alsham Supermarket and Bakery. Part of the reason Nazari's store was targeted was that he carries an array of expensive and unique items — something that could attract customers and criminals equally. Jim Morley, assistant special agent-in-charge with the U.S. Secret Service in Chicago, told CBS News that stores like Nazari's tend to be popular with scammers because their inventory isn't just pricey but also hard to find elsewhere. "Oftentimes, we see a particular store getting targeted because they're selling merchandise that the criminal is able to resell," Morley explained. Nazari, meanwhile, is taking steps to prevent future SNAP fraud at his business now that he's aware of the issue. He filed a report with the Lombard police as a starting point. He also gave them video and receipt copies related to the fraud Cunningham experienced in the hopes of helping law enforcement catch the scammer. He also installed 12 security cameras. The USDA has tips for retailers to help prevent SNAP fraud. It says to inspect point-of-sale machines and PIN pads regularly for tampering or skimming devices. It also suggests using cameras to monitor checkout areas and never allowing unscheduled service visits for point-of-sale equipment. The USDA also urges retailers to train employees to spot suspicious behavior. Charging a large amount of luxury items on a SNAP EBT card could be one red flag. Finally, any retailer that thinks it has been targeted by SNAP scammers should contact local law enforcement and its point-of-sale equipment provider. It should also call the USDA Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-424-9121. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
MDHS investigates EBT skimming cases in Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – People across the country and in Mississippi have reported they have been affected by EBT thefts through skimming. 'Skimming happens when you swipe or insert your card, and there's a reader that pulls the information off your PIN number, your card number and your name,' said Mark Jones, Chief Communications Office for the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS). Stolen funds cannot be reimbursed due to federal changes made in December 2024, but Jones said MDHS is actively investigating the cases. 'This hits Mississippi's most vulnerable residents hardest. And so, we want to be able to investigate and root out this type of fraud that is perpetuated against Mississippi's most vulnerable residents,' said Jones. SNAP changes proposed in GOP's 'big, beautiful bill.' Here's what to know He said cardholders should change their pins frequently and be mindful when creating them. 'Don't use a simple pen. Don't use sequential numbers. Don't do one, two, three, four. Don't do one, one, one. Don't use something that is synonymous with your birthdate or even your Social Security number,' Jones stated. Tiffany Williams, who lives in Jackson, said it's discouraging to go through the theft and be told nothing can be done. 'To say y'all can't do nothing, just fill out a form. I mean, that's kind of hurtful and like a slap in the face, like we don't care, you just got to wait another month to get your benefits,' she said. If you believe you have been a victim of SNAP EBT theft, MDHS requests that you call the Mississippi EBT cardholder service center at 1-866-512-5087 to report the card as compromised and create a new PIN. This will deactivate the card and send a new card to the account holder. Customers can learn more about requesting replacement benefits on the SNAP Fraud Benefit Replacement page. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nationwide EBT scam impacting Roanoke
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A nationwide scam has made its way to Roanoke. Low-income individuals who rely on SNAP benefits for their grocery shopping are arriving at the check-out counter only to find their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) funds are missing. Several local food banks say that scam is starting to have a big impact on their operations. 'If we've got more people on the list than we have food, then that means we have to limit just a little bit more of what they'd be getting,' said Darlene Lewis, executive director of the Hope Center in Roanoke, which provides one of several food banks across the city. They have begun to receive calls from folks impacted by the scam, which will drive up demand on their limited supply. 'We will be getting the first person that was impacted by that [scam], and they told me they had seven children,' said Lewis. 'That's a heavy load to lift.' That means people that have not been scammed, but who rely on local food banks for healthy food, could also be impacted. As of Friday morning, at least 10 people in Roanoke have filed welfare fraud reports to Roanoke Police, stating their EBT funds were missing. Roanoke City Benefit Manager Lindsey Campbell provided WFXR with this statement Friday, acknowledging that they are aware of the nationwide scam, and the fact that it is now impacting the local community: The City of Roanoke Department of Social Services is aware of a nationwide EBT skimming/scam that has been happening for several months. While this issue has affected individuals across the country, it has also impacted some residents locally. This has resulted in stolen benefits for some users—some of whom recently noticed their accounts had been depleted after making purchases through certain online retailers. Initially, local agencies were able to replace stolen benefits; however, as of December 20, 2024, we are no longer permitted to do so due to federal regulations. We understand this is a hardship for many affected individuals, which is why it is more important than ever to take precautions to protect your benefits. Don't click on those road toll texts. Officials issue warnings about the smishing scam We have always encouraged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to take precautions to protect their benefits. We advise EBT users to avoid utilizing third-party applications to manage their accounts and to be cautious when shopping online. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) has introduced a new card lock/unlock security feature to protect SNAP benefits. This feature helps safeguard customers' EBT cards from skimming and other fraudulent activities that attempt to steal card numbers and PINs. The ConnectEBT app is the only officially licensed app for Virginia SNAP EBT benefits. Additionally, VDSS has directed local agencies to track instances of fraud and report where fraudulent transactions are occurring. This information could be used to help identify the source of the problem and potential solutions. For more information or assistance, individuals are encouraged to contact their local Social Services office or visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website. The fact that local and state agencies are no longer to reimburse stolen funds is what makes this scam so damaging. 'This is not like somebody misusing your credit card where you can dispute it and get the charges reversed,' said Julie Wheeler, president of the Better Business Bureau serving Western Virginia. 'These things, you don't get your money back.' The BBB says the scam has been harder to prevent than many because criminals are using multiple methods to steal funds. 'We can't control that,' said Wheeler. 'How we can control that is by having our cards locked. Keeping them locked and only unlock them when you're using them.' The BBB and Virginia Department of Social Services both say you can do that by downloading the Connect EBT app, which allows users to easily freeze their account. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nearly $21M in SNAP benefits has been stolen from Illinois families. What to do if it happens to you
Scammers have left many Illinois residents unable to feed their families after stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, reports CBS News Chicago. SNAP provides monthly food benefits to low-income households to help fund groceries, but over the past two years, criminals have siphoned off millions. From October 2022 to December 2024, scammers stole nearly $21 million in SNAP benefits from more than 38,000 households across Illinois through almost 124,000 fraudulent transactions. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Here are 3 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? "My family and I can't buy groceries this month," one victim wrote to CBS News. Another Chicago victim said they checked their balance and found $1,039 was stolen from their EBT card in six separate transactions after someone used their benefits hundreds of miles away at a deli and grocery store in New York. 'I am not the only victim," she wrote. "When the clerk gave me the report to file she said this has been severe since 2022." But how are thieves getting away with it? Much of the fraud stems from skimming, a tactic where scammers use hidden devices to copy EBT card data during a transaction. 'Skimming is a big part of the SNAP EBT fraud,' James Morley of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office told CBS News. "You could have criminals in another state or another country that are getting that data real-time as it's being captured." These skimming devices, often installed on payment terminals at stores, can transmit card data via Bluetooth to criminals in real-time — sometimes in other states or even countries. The core issue is that most EBT cards still use magnetic stripes, not the chip-enabled security found in modern debit and credit cards. That leaves them vulnerable to data theft with a single swipe. "What I don't understand, though, is how in the world when the entire world switched to chip-enabled cards over a decade ago, why the food stamp program didn't do the same thing," said Haywood Talcove, CEO of Government Business for LexisNexis Risk Solutions. The fraud isn't just ongoing — it's accelerating. In 2024 alone, thieves made off with $12.5 million, accounting for 57% of all fraud losses since Illinois began tracking the problem, reports CBS News. Worse still, stolen benefits are no longer reimbursed. The federal reimbursement program ended in December 2024, leaving victims on their own. Some states are taking steps to prevent EBT card fraud. California has rolled out chip-enabled EBT cards, and Oklahoma plans to do so soon. Chips use tokenization, which makes it nearly impossible for fraudsters to skim the information. Illinois is participating in the USDA Mobile Payment Pilot program instead, set to launch later this year. This program allows people to add their EBT card to their mobile wallet and then tap to pay at checkout. While this program may be more secure, it requires users to have a smartphone, which could be a barrier for SNAP recipients who don't own or regularly use smartphones. Read more: Trump warns his tariffs will spark a 'disturbance' in America — use this 1 dead-simple move to help shockproof your retirement plans ASAP Unfortunately, since federal reimbursements ended in December 2024, there's no guarantee your stolen funds will be replaced. Some victims, like a Chicago man who lost $698 in under a minute, say they've been told to wait until next month's benefits. "IDHS isn't replacing any of the benefits for the month. They are just giving people new cards, telling them to wait until next month's benefits," he wrote to CBS News. The best way to prevent SNAP fraud is to be alert and proactive. If your state is offering chipped SNAP cards, request a replacement. Otherwise, you can: Block out-of-state transactions Turn your card off after making a purchase Block internet transactions If you think your funds have been stolen, take immediate action, and: Contact your state's EBT provider or local health services office right away to report the theft. Request a new EBT card as soon as possible. Monitor your EBT account regularly for suspicious or unauthorized charges. Document everything, including the date and amount of stolen funds, and where the transactions occurred. U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois says she's working to change the lack of reimbursement. 'I have heard from constituents who have had their benefits stolen and have not been reimbursed…I will not back down. I plan to continue to work with my colleagues in the state legislature to ensure all Illinoisans can access their benefits,' she said in a statement. In the meantime, many Illinois families are left waiting — and wondering how they'll put food on the table. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Cost-of-living in America is still out of control — and prices could keep climbing. Use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what Trump does This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
