Kentucky warns SNAP recipients about scammers targeting their benefits, information

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Every year in October, SNAP benefits increase to help Kentuckians keep-up with the rising cost of foods.

But now, the state is warning people with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits to be on alert for scammers trying to steal their information.

SNAP benefits for most people in Kentucky raised by about 3.5% in October. It was an added boost meant to help keep up with rising costs, but scammers are targeting those benefits by stealing the information off EBT cards.

According to the state, EBT card skimming, cloning, or what's called "tumbling" has been happening since July 2022.

Skimming is when scammers place an illegal device on an ATM or a card reader inside a store, which copies the information from an EBT card when it is used. The information is then used to make a "clone" of the card to spend the person's benefits.

Tumbling is when a the thief uses the first six-digits of a card and an algorithm to figure out the remaining digits and PIN to commit fraud.

According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the state has received 194 theft complaints, since Oct. 2. Only 30 of those cases have been reviewed.

In a statement to WDRB News, the state said it notifies beneficiaries whose data may have been compromised. It said those impacted are asked to order a new benefits card and update their PIN to prevent additional theft.

Tyler Offerman, Food Justice Organizer with the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, said it's a problem he and his team have been warning people about for a while.

"These folks are shopping for their families, trying to provide and they get benefits stolen from them through no fault of their own," he said.

Offerman said often times, the devices scammers use are highly sophisticated and look identical to authentic card readers.

"If the person shopping for groceries can't know and the person selling the groceries can't know, then in reality, what can be done?" he questioned.

"In some really bad instances for folks who save up benefits for a couple months, maybe they want to go Thanksgiving or Christmas shopping soon, they might loose hundreds and hundreds of dollars in desperately needed food assistance. It's a serious problem and one we hope the state and federal government focuses on," said Offerman.

Last year, Congress passed a program which allows beneficiaries to be reimbursed by the state if they have their SNAP benefits stolen. However, someone can only apply to be reimbursed twice.

Offerman said it is only a short-term solution and something more permanent is needed.

"If that happens more than twice right now, there is no recourse for them. There is nothing they can do. That money is gone and there is no way to replace it," Offerman said.

As of September 2023, 552,000 Kentuckians utilized SNAP benefits. That is a little more than 12% of the state's population.