Latest news with #ebtEDGE
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Newest Romanian EBT theft suspect is a repeat offender
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — He is the newest suspect linked to EBT benefit thefts in Kern County, 23-year-old Bogdan Boceanu from Romania. Boceanu was found with 36 cloned EBT cards and over $4,000 in stolen cash. Part of something much bigger than the District Attorney is disclosing to the public. 'Yes, I would say both, Romanian and International crime,' said Lt. Alecio Mora with Wasco Police. 'They go all over the state committing this type of crimes.' Investigators with the District Attorney and California Department of Social Services arrested Boceanu at the Wells Fargo bank in Delano on March 1. Suspect in abuse investigation shot, killed by deputies at Virginia Ave Park: Kern County Sheriff's Office Boceanu faces felony charges including grand and identity theft, but this isn't the first time he's allegedly done this. In July of 2024, Boceanu was arrested by the Wasco Police Department after tampering with a Bank of America ATM. Boceanu was allegedly found with a skimming device and video camera for skimming. He posted bail and the case was not filed until January. 'We need to have more accountability. These guys can go away, leave, leave, escape, and then not be identified in the future,' said Lt. Mora. 'We need to be able to keep these guys in jail a little longer.' Now, rearrested, he joins seven Romanians alleged to have committed card skimming fraud in Kern County, some dating back to 2023. Five of them, have not shown up for their court dates and have outstanding warrants for their arrests. 'I think this is organized crime, they know what they're doing, they have the technology and the training to pull it off,' said Lt. Mora. Never miss a story: Make your homepage Boceanu would be the first suspect of EBT theft case to not be allowed to post bail. He's due back in court Thursday. To keep your benefits safe, download the ebtEDGE app to your phone. Learn more about it here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspects in EBT fraud cases face judge, arrest warrants issued for 2 others after they fail to appear in court
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Skimming is a sophisticated and well thought-out crime. Averaging two transactions per minute, Romanian nationals are allegedly coming to Kern County, draining EBT benefit accounts, and then fleeing. 'We received a suspicious activity alert regarding EBT cards,' said Michael Brummett, lead investigator for the case against Norbert Karaba — a Romanian national arrested with thousands of dollars. 'Did you recover $63,952 dollars in cash?' Prosecutor Anthony Yim asked Brummett. Brummett: 'Yes.' Yim: 'Did you recover 78 access cards?' Brummett: 'Yes.' EBT account information can be copied to a card with a magnetic strip, such as gift card, hotel card, even a library card. Kern County District Attorney warns of EBT fraud after millions in benefits lost Testimony in this case provides a better idea of how theft transactions can happen so fast. 'The number is the balance to the EBT card,' said Brummett. The stickers on the cards recovered in this case have handwritten numbers, detailing the PIN and balance for each card. This way, all transactions are made continuously and back to back. 'How many transactions were conducted per minute using the cards that you recovered?' Tim asked. Brummett: 'Approximately one to two.' The transactions were fast, but there were so many of them that law enforcement was able to catch up. The California Department of Social Services flagged the withdrawals and alerted local law enforcement. 'It's an alert that CDSS gives us through email,' said Brummett. Mathias William Schmuck-Wakefield, an investigator for the state assigned to EBT fraud and theft protection, explained shimming devices are deep inserts inside card readers like ATMs or gas pumps. California issuing new EBT chip/tap cards as $2.5 million in cash aid stolen from Kern County residents Also due in court were Romanian nationals Fernando Stantu, Mari-Mar Milica, and Alberto-Ionel Baran allegedly caught with 48 cloned EBT cards and $15,702 stolen cash. Only Baran appeared in court, Stantu and Milica failed to appear. Arrest warrants were issued for them. Baran is set to appear back in court in May. Officials warn recipients to change their EBT card pin number the last day of the month, or the day before benefits are deposited. This is to prevent theft if information has been stolen through skimming devices. You can learn more about the ebtEDGE app at this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
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. Fisherman films deer swimming in Lake Isabella 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 – CDSS website – EBT Helpline – 1-877-328-9677 Online help at 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@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
California issuing new EBT chip/tap cards as $2.5 million in cash aid stolen from Kern County residents
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — More than $2 million in taxpayer dollars intended for the county's neediest citizens was stolen in the last seven months, according to the District Attorney's office. The Kern County District Attorney, Cynthia Zimmer, revealed Tuesday the amount stolen as $2,549,401.54 in the first public acknowledgement of the scope of the problem in Kern County. 'I feel like they're not doing enough to investigate it,' said Lauren Kriewaldt. Most of the people who are hurt don't know what has happened and they're desperate for answers. 'I don't know what I'm going to do': Hundreds at Kern County Dept. of Human Services seek answers over lost funds 'I just hope they catch whoever is responsible and actually charge them,' said Branda Cofield. The Department of Human Services said they receive about 800 requests per month regarding EBT theft. A month ago, the District Attorney's office and the state conducted a sting operation in Kern County that targeted skimming devices and fraudulent EBT cards. Norbert Karaba, 34, was charged with grand theft and fraud. The charges allege he had 78 cloned EBT cards and stole over $63,000 in cash. Karaba was arrested while allegedly withdrawing money from ATMs, and is out on bail. The ATM withdrawals look similar to ones victims shared with 17 News. Neither the District Attorney's office or the Department of Human Services have confirmed if February's thefts are related to Karaba. The state department of social services will soon roll out new cards which include tap to pay. They recommend beneficiaries to switch to tap to pay to lessen the chance of their cards being cloned by skimmers. These can be in ATMs, stores, even gas stations, and sometimes difficult to detect. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The department also recommends beneficiaries to monitor their movements through the ebtEDGE mobile app or through the website here. Though, users have become weary of apps, fearing their information might also be stolen through these. The Bakersfield Police Department can take your report if you believe your card was cloned or spot a suspected skimmer, call the non-emergency line at 661-327-7111. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
Kern County District Attorney warns of EBT fraud after millions in benefits lost
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer is warning against EBT fraud and is advising of steps people can take as precaution. Zimmer says her office is aware of people using skimming devices and fraudulent EBT cards to conduct ATM fraud withdrawals in the county. 'I don't know what I'm going to do': Hundreds at Kern County Dept. of Human Services seek answers over lost funds The District Attorney's office has collaborated with the California Department of Social Services and the Kern County Department of Human Services to combat the activity, according to a statement Tuesday. The Kern County Department of Human Services advises the following precautions: Report theft to the Department of Human Services either in person or online through the account or through the EBT helpline at 877-328-9677. Download and use the ebtEDGE mobile app as a method to manage benefits and reset your pin frequently. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. You can also manage your account online at the state's website. Click here for the hours of operation of the Kern County Department of Human Services. Over the last seven months, over $2 million has been stolen from EBT cards, officials said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
