COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Social Services reports there have been more than 100 reports of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits scams or frauds since August.
“I opened up the app on my phone, and I checked, and it says zero balance. My heart dropped,” SNAP recipient Johnetta Tucker said.
Tucker, a mother of two, says when she went to purchase snacks for her daughter to take to school, her SNAP EBT card was declined. She quickly realized her account had been drained and immediately contacted DSS.
“I'm a single mother of two girls, ages 13 and five. I asked them [DSS], "Well, what are we supposed to do for food? This is how I feed my family.' This is the whole purpose why I have SNAP benefits because I need them," Tucker said. "Groceries are very high. I work a part-time job, I can't really afford to fill up the house with groceries and pay bills, gas. It's like I have to choose between feeding my kids and keeping a roof over their head."
Tucker, who says she receives $766 monthly in SNAP benefits, said all the fraudulent charges were made at the exact same time in multiple locations in the Bronx New York.
Connely Anne Ragley is with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. She says those who believe they are victims of EBT fraud must notify the agency immediately.
“Since August 30, the department has received 161 reports of stolen SNAP benefits. Just keeping in mind that in August of 2024, the agency served 278,259 households ... so a very, very small percentage,” Ragley noted.
“They also need to submit a stolen SNAP benefit form because that is the official way of reporting it to the agency," Ragley said. "If it's not reported to the agency, it doesn't go on our spreadsheets, and we're not able to track it.”
DSS officials say reporting fraud to their offices is the first step in getting your money back.
“Once that is initiated, that form is submitted, then our Benefits Integrity Unit will look at the claim, verify the statements that are made in the report and then, usually within two to three weeks, we can have those reimbursement and replacement funds put back on the card,” Ragley said.
The agency said this is not a hack, and all complaints are investigated by their fraud investigators.
“They're not just in Richland county. They're very random. They're not very specific, and so that really kind of leads us to believe that these are part of these international groups that are essentially guessing at card numbers and guessing at pin numbers,” Ragely said.
To avoid becoming a victim of this type of fraud, here’s what DSS said you should do.
“Changing your pin number frequently is a tactic that the Federal Trade Commission recommends, including making it digits that are not easily decoded, like a 1234, or four zeros in a row," Ragley said. "We recommend that you change your EBT pin at least once a month, and usually right before you get your the next month's benefits loaded on your card.”
Tucker says even if she recieves a refund, she is still worried for the future.
“How are y'all going through this not gonna happen next month, because I'm fighting to get this back for this month, but on October the sixth of next month, another one loads," Tucker asked. "Well, if I go in the store again next month, is this gonna happen again? What are y'all doing to assure us?”
DSS says the federal law that allows the replacement of stolen SNAP benefits is set to expire September 30th. It will then be up to congress to extend it. As of now, there is no plan to replace any benefits stolen after that date.