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Williamsport Bureau of Police has taken reports from nearly 30 different victims who were subjected to EBT/Food Stamp purchase fraud.
The compromised EBT account (EBT is an electronic benefits transaction card), appear to have been used in multiple states and in various amounts, said WBP Assistant Chief Jason Bolt.
"We are currently ascertaining the full scope of these activities and will attempt to provide more information after coordinating with our state and federal law enforcement partners," he said.
On Friday, a man claimed his girlfriend had more than $760 drained mysteriously from her EBT card, which is used to buy groceries through the federal government-subsidized Supplemental Nutritional Benefits Program (SNAP).
The man, who provided a first name only to the Sun-Gazette, said his girlfriend arrived at the Office of Assistance, 400 Little League Blvd., Williamsport, about 1 p.m. last Thursday upset. She was not alone, according to her video chat with her boyfriend.
She estimated at least 30 other individuals were complaining of similar losses of benefits with unknown transactions happening on the cards.
Staff were handling multiple people, he said.
Transactions on his girlfriend's card had occurred at places in the Bronx, and New Jersey, he said.
Office staff told his girlfriend and others to apply for new EBT card(s) and to go to a food pantry or food bank for emergency food assistance.
Police officers responded and took down victims' information, he said.
Lycoming County victims of this crime are not alone.
"Skimming is a growing issue nationwide, and we are constantly working to ensure that the benefits DHS administers stay with the Pennsylvanians who need them," said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh in a statement.
The DHS is aware of skimming incidents that have been targeting SNAP recipients. Do not become a victim of this scam - when you swipe your EBT card at a card reader, please make sure a skimming device is not attached," she said.
The press secretary at DHS also was made aware of the incidents in Williamsport reported to the Sun-Gazette. The newspaper also received a telephone call from another victim.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation may also be involved in these local alleged hacking and skimming incidents but that could not be confirmed. The FBI provides skimming prevention information and graphics on skimming attachments on its website.
SNAP, for those who don't know it or use it, is a type of government assistance program, while EBT is simply the method through which benefits are distributed, and it's where the skimming occurs. Sadly, there are no longer reimbursements as of Dec. 20, 2024, a DHS statement said.
"If SNAP benefits are stolen from an EBT card, that theft should be immediately reported to local law enforcement, " the statement said.
Because federal authorization was not extended, benefits stolen after Dec. 20, 2024, cannot be reissued by DHS," the department guidance on the program stated.
"With this planned text alert directly to a recipient's cell phone, we are doing everything we can to inform Pennsylvanians and arm them against these bad actors."
Pennsylvanians are urged to take an extra look before swiping their card at a point-of-sale machine to ensure there is no skimming attachment.
Retailers must also remain vigilant and be responsible for the removal of skimming devices in order to protect their customers.
Skimming does not just happen immediately after using a compromised point-of-sale device; thieves often collect a recipient's PIN information, and then steal the EBT funds after the next
SNAP payment is made to maximize their gain.
Recipients are encouraged to monitor their SNAP benefits and transactions regularly through Pennsylvania's free, official, safe, and secure myCOMPASS PA mobile app, available on the app stores. myCOMPASS PA mobile app users can also change their PIN through the app, which we encourage recipients to do at least monthly and right before their payment date to prevent fraud.
DHS has already implemented enhanced EBT card PIN security and is working with our EBT contractor, Conduent, and the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to evaluate options to further enhance EBT security, including the possibility of chip cards and transaction locking features.
If an individual's benefits are stolen, they should request a replacement EBT card as soon as possible from DHS' EBT contractor, Conduent, at 888-328-7366, or by contacting their local County Assistance Office. Card replacement fees are waived when electronic theft is reported.