Criminals target SNAP recipients in local card skimming cases, officials say

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CLEVELAND (WJW) – Cases of criminals using skimming devices to steal personal financial information and then plunder bank accounts are on the rise.

However, the cyber criminals have hit a new low by targeting the benefits of the most needy in society.

Up to 195,000 people in Cuyahoga County depend on benefits from the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed themselves and their families.

Recipients receive their SNAP benefits through an electronic benefit transfer card, or EBT, that they use like a debit card to purchase food at local stores.

Unfortunately, cyber criminals found a way to steal SNAP benefits by installing skimming devices on the EBT card readers at store checkouts, giving them access to the recipients’ card number and PIN and allowing them to clean out each account they target.  

“It is absolutely reprehensible. We were shocked when it first started happening,” said Kevin Gowan, director of Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services. “It reminded me of when people were stealing unemployment benefits back during the pandemic, but I find it worse because these are the most vulnerable members of our society. They can’t afford to put food on the table and this is something criminals have taken advantage of.”

County administrators are warning SNAP recipients about a recent spike in local skimming cases.

In August, there were 561 requests to replace SNAP benefits that were electronically stolen and so far in September, there have already been more than 700 such requests.

Federal and state investigators have been trying to crack down on the operators of the skimming devices, but the criminals are relentless.

“It’s relatively easy for us to discover where this happening because we can see the thefts and we can see the last time the customer legitimately used the card, and then the investigators go and find those skimming devices at those stores and they can shut those down, but the criminals come right back in and go to another store and they plant more skimming devices,” said Gowan.

As part of an effort to combat the skimming, the county is recommending that SNAP recipients change their personal identification numbers on a regular basis by logging into their online account or by calling a number listed on the back of their EBT card.

The county is also urging recipients to download a ConnectEBT app to their phone that allows them to lock and unlock their benefits when needed.

The county is also recommending that recipients carefully inspect the EBT readers before using their card at the checkout.

“Sometimes these devices are a little more obvious, they’re bulkier and if it looks suspicious, don’t use it,” said Gowan.

Skimming theft crimes has been so widespread around the country that Congress approved a bill in 2023 that allows victims to recover their stolen SNAP benefits.

However, administrators point out that resolution is scheduled to expire at the end of this month.

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Jack Shea

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