TOLEDO, Ohio — Ohio SNAP benefit recipients are being advised to be extra cautious with their cards.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reports more than $4.2 million has been reimbursed to more than 8,500 Ohioans from October 2022 to August 2024
The department said a fraud tactic called skimming is becoming increasingly popular among scammers across the state.
"Card skimming is basically when you are using the point of sale device at the register to make a transaction, there is a little apparatus that they will place over the card reader," Lucas County's Job and Family Services community outreach liaison, Michael Pidsosny said.
A small device that can steal one's personal information at checkout and all it takes is one swipe and a few numbers.
"By grasping those two details, it's all a cybercriminal will need in order to steal the food assistant benefits off somebody's card if it's not protected," Pidsosny said.
In Lucas County, the Job and Family Services department reports 92 complaints for card skimming were reported in May, 32 in June and 23 in July.
Pidsosny said the reduction in numbers comes from the increasing awareness of this issue and people now being able to use Connect EBT.
Through the app, people can lock and unlock their cards, having information only be accessed when they are getting ready to make a purchase.
Another way he said people can avoid getting their information skimmed in stores is by checking the card device before they make the purchase.
"If you pull at the edges, these are very obvious devices that will fall right off of the machine when you're shaking it," Pidsosny said. "They may have become more advanced so it's always just better to make sure you wiggle the machine or apparatus a little bit."
He said the device can be placed by anyone who's been in the store, so make sure to let a store associate know.
Det. Sgt. Kowalski with the Lucas County Sheriff's Office said there are additional steps people can take to lessen the chances of being impacted.
"When you are using a credit card reader, make sure that somebody isn't lurking over your shoulder," Kowalski said. "Don't hand over your card without it being out of your eye of sight."
For people making purchases online, Pidsosny recommends people check for a lock in the web browser which will let you know the website you are on is secure.
"They're targeting everybody and it's just unfortunate that it's gotten to the point where they're preying on low-income individuals who just need help to buy food to sustain their families on nutrition for the month," Pidsosny said.
If you or someone you know has had your card skimmed, Pidsosny said to not call the police but instead report it by contacting the Lucas County Job and Family Services fraud department.
He said they can reimburse up to two months' worth of money on EBT cards.