SNAP benefits can be stolen by card skimmers: HHS
CLEVELAND (WJW) — For many, using a credit card to pay for something happens every day.
It’s popular because the process is almost effortless. But that’s exactly what makes it a prime target for theft.
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Kevin Gowan works with Cuyahoga County’s Health and Human Services.
He talked with FOX 8 News to warn people using their SNAP benefit program about a theft called credit card skimming.
“They are placing devices on or in card readers and stealing the data that way and find out when the benefits are loaded,” Gowan added.
Since February, the county’s SNAP benefit program has reported more than 400 incidents of credit card theft.
Gowan said they aren’t sharing that information to scare people. They are sharing it to show what a problem skimming has become.
“It’s significantly on the rise and troubling. This targets some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” Gowan explained.
Skimmers work well because they blend in well. However, you can expose a skimmer by physically checking the credit card reader itself.
If something feels off, something probably is off.
Ohio SNAP recipients encouraged to protect themselves from benefits theft
Gowan added another tip to prevent being scammed:
“The most simple and useful advice we can give is to change your pin on a monthly basis, on a regular basis, quite frankly.”
If you are the victim of public benefits theft, or if you know of suspicious activity, please contact the Cuyahoga County Public Assistance Fraud Hotline at 216-987-6950. You can also report suspected public assistance fraud online.
Download the ConnectEBT app to your phone. You can then easily lock and unlock your benefits card, keeping it locked when not in use.
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