Reports of scams targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have surged across the U.S., sparking concern among recipients and authorities.
SNAP is a government program providing food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget. The scams, designed to exploit vulnerable people relying on government assistance, range from phishing schemes to counterfeit websites mimicking official portals.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported several SNAP scams on its website last year, one of which targeted college students and another was an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card scam asking people to sign up for instant cash. Since then, the scams have become more prevalent and increasingly sophisticated.
The sun flares over the top of the sign marking the headquarters building for the US Department of Agriculture on April 18, 2024, in Washington, DC. The USDA has reported several scams involving SNAP benefits.
The sun flares over the top of the sign marking the headquarters building for the US Department of Agriculture on April 18, 2024, in Washington, DC. The USDA has reported several scams involving SNAP benefits.
J. David Ake/Getty Images
One method involves phishing emails and text messages. Scammers send communications disguised as official notices from the SNAP program, urging recipients to update their personal information. These messages often include links to fake websites that closely resemble the legitimate SNAP application sites. Once users input their details, scammers can access and misuse their benefits.
Card skimming is a scamming method scheme affecting SNAP recipients in Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania, as reported by CBS News, who spoke to one victim directly affected.
“While card skimming and phishing scams can impact anyone who uses a credit, debit or EBT card, they may hit SNAP households—who rely on their monthly benefits to buy food for themselves and their families—the hardest,” said Cindy Long, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator, as reported by West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
“What these thieves are doing is deplorable, and FNS will not tolerate it in our programs. We are working with our state and federal partners to protect your SNAP benefits.”
Another common scam involves fake application portals that promise expedited processing of SNAP benefits for a fee. The websites lure victims by appearing highly credible, complete with official logos and documentation. However, SNAP does not charge for its services, and any site asking for payment is fraudulent.
A family in Waterford, Connecticut, said that hours after hundreds of dollars of SNAP benefits were deposited into their account it was stolen, as reported by WFSB.
Judit Quintana from Florida told NBC6 that she found that her account of $200 was gone, when she had only spent $20.
“I bought a few things and it didn’t go through, and I tried the card and they said it was no good,” Quintana told NBC6 in Spanish.
According to the USDA, as reported by NBC 6 South Florida, last year Florida reported 356 claims regarding stolen SNAP benefits. Nationally, almost 60,000 homes have been impacted, amounting to more than $30 million in lost benefits.
The Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice recommends several steps to safeguard against SNAP benefit scams including checking card readers for irregularities, regularly changing your EBT pin and checking your EBT account for unauthorized charges.
Newsweek reached out to USDA on Saturday for comment.
For more information on protecting yourself from SNAP benefit scams, visit the USDA’s official website.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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