Many vulnerable residents in Washington, D.C. have fallen victim to a scam that has cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Scammers are targeting individuals who receive SNAP benefits and other forms of public assistance, resulting in over $6.5 million being stolen in D.C. alone over the past two years. This issue is not limited to the District and is a nationwide problem.
One resident, Talisa Hawkins, who is currently unemployed and caring for her young niece, relies on public assistance to meet basic needs such as food and rent. She uses electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to access benefits like SNAP and welfare. Recently, Hawkins discovered that her EBT card was declined when she tried to make a purchase at the grocery store. Upon checking her account, she found that her money had been withdrawn shortly after it was deposited, leaving her in a difficult financial situation.
EBT fraud cases are on the rise, with criminals cloning or skimming EBT cards to steal funds. In D.C. alone, there were 4,689 reported EBT fraud cases totaling over $3.1 million in the last fiscal year. This fiscal year, the number of cases has increased to over 6,800, totaling more than $3.4 million. Laura Green Zeilinger, the director of the D.C. Department of Human Services, highlights that the lack of required protection on EBT cards under federal law contributes to the growing issue.
To protect themselves from EBT fraud, recipients can take several precautions. Zeilinger recommends changing the card’s PIN regularly, freezing the card between purchases, preventing out-of-state transactions, signing up for multi-factor authentication, and setting up alerts to monitor card usage. These steps can help individuals detect and prevent fraudulent activity on their EBT cards.
While the federal government currently reimburses stolen benefits to victims, this funding is expected to run out by the end of the month. The D.C. Department of Human Services states that it takes between seven and 14 days for stolen benefits to be reimbursed. The situation is concerning for many vulnerable individuals like Hawkins, who rely on these benefits to make ends meet.
In conclusion, it is essential for recipients of public assistance to stay vigilant and take proactive measures to safeguard their EBT cards from scammers. By following the recommended tips and staying informed about potential fraud schemes, individuals can protect themselves from financial losses and ensure that they continue to receive the assistance they need.