OHIO, USA — If you're a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is urging you to act now to protect those benefits as recipients continue to fall victim to fraud schemes.
ODJFS said criminals are using a process called skimming, when a fraudulent device is placed over a point-of-sale card reader, to steal EBT card numbers.
SNAP is a federal food assistance program of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Services. ODJFS said a federal program currently authorized by Congress allows recipients to apply for replacement benefits whose funds have been stolen since Oct. 1, 2022.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said there are simple steps SNAP recipients can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.
ODJFS said recipients can manage their benefits through the ConnectEBT app on a mobile phone or tablet. Users can block in-person transactions at out-of-state retail locations through the app's card lock features. Recipients can also enable a feature that requires users to unblock their EBT before making any purchases, including in-state.
Recipients can also create a PIN for their card that is unique and difficult to guess. The department encourages recipients to change their PIN monthly before each scheduled deposit and to never share their card number or PIN. ODJFS said it will never ask for these numbers.
Recipients are also urged to examine point-of-sale card readers before using them to check for skimming devices. When using your card, ODJFS said to cover the keypad with your body or hand to stop others from seeing your PIN.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said they use a variety of methods to detect potential fraud, such as identifying point-of-sale terminals where skimming and "criminal transactions" may be taking place. ODJFS said they then share that information with the Ohio Investigative Unit, local law enforcement and Food and Nutrition Services.
ODJFS shared steps to reduce the risk of EBT cardholders becoming a victim of skimming devices:
- Do not use the card reader if you notice anything unusual
- Pull at the edges of the keypad before swiping your EBT card to ensure there is nothing over the reader
- Notify store staff if you notice anything suspicious with the card reader
According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, it has issued $6.8 million in reimbursements to 11,859 Ohioans from Oct. 1 2022 to Sept. 13, 2024.
