Hackers have managed to steal millions of dollars from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts, leaving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients struggling to make ends meet.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) has reported a surge in fraudulent activities targeting EBT users, with devastating consequences for those who rely on these benefits for their daily sustenance.
Frances Jacobson, a SNAP recipient, discovered the harsh reality of this cybercrime when she checked her EBT account balance on November 9.
“When I checked it, it said that I had two transactions which totaled $173 but left me five cents,” Jacobson recounted.
While the analysts at KCBD noted that the theft has left her in a dire situation, especially with the holiday season approaching. “I have no food in there,” she cried. “I can’t even make Thanksgiving dinner for myself.”
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Scale of the Problem
Daniel Sparkman from Alabama DHR confirmed that hackers have stolen millions of dollars from EBT users across the state. The fraudsters are employing various sophisticated techniques to carry out their attacks:
- Using skimmers on credit card devices at gas stations and other businesses
- Launching bot attacks on third-party vendor systems
- Exploiting stolen personal information such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth
In response to this crisis, the Alabama DHR is implementing several security measures:-
- Converting EBT cards to chip-enabled versions for enhanced security
- Allowing users to turn their cards on and off online
- Offering replacement benefits to victims of EBT card skimming, card cloning, and similar SNAP fraud
If you suspect your SNAP benefits have been stolen, take the following actions:-
- Contact your county DHR office immediately to report the theft
- File a claim within 30 days of discovering the theft
- Provide evidence of fraud, including transaction history
- Report your card as stolen and request a replacement
As the DHR works on improving security measures, SNAP recipients are urged to remain vigilant.
Protect your EBT account by creating hard-to-guess PINs, never sharing your card information, and regularly monitoring your account for suspicious activity.
The message from victims like Frances Jacobson to the perpetrators is clear: “You guys are some pathetic pieces of junk. You guys take stuff from people who have nothing.”
This cybercrime wave highlights the need for stronger protections against digital theft.
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