OHIO, USA —
Five people were indicted by a grand jury in Wood County for misusing food assistance programs.
Two individuals were using EBT cards they were not authorized to use, and three individuals gave incorrect information, misrepresenting their household composition, according to Wood County Jobs and Family Services.
There are ways that individuals correctly and legitimately using their benefit cards can still be targeted by scams.
"Unfortunately what we're noticing is there is fraudulent activity with cyber criminals who are skimming and cloning the EBT cards when people are utilizing them at a point of sale," said Michael Pidsosny, Community Outreach Liaison for Lucas County Job and Family Services.
Scammers can put devices directly on point-of-sale terminals, or get information from websites that are not protected.
"It's important they get the message about getting the ConnectEBT app," Pidsosny said.
ConnectEBT is the only app the state of Ohio has contracted with, and it allows individuals to lock and unlock their card before making a purchase. This is only one way individuals can protect themselves.
"Keep your pin private," Pidsosny said. "Do not share your card. Do not keep that written down in your house just in case somebody takes it, or do not keep it stored electronically just in case you have any malicious malware or anything on your computer that could access that."
If someone notices their card was used to make a purchase, they can contact Lucas County Job and Family Services to fill out a form to get their money reimbursed. Pidsosny said people can be reimbursed the full amount or up to two months of benefits.
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