ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — In July, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office began taking a series of reports from people who rely on EBT cards to pay for their groceries. They claim that money from their cards is being stolen.
In total, more than 40 people have filed fraud reports that money was stolen from their cards without them knowing.
“This is getting to be a large problem,” said Detective Brenton Davidson of the Ross County Sheriff’s Office.
It’s not just happening in Ross County. Other counties such as Jackson, Fayette, Franklin, Licking and Pike have all reported EBT fraud.
Detectives know how the criminals are doing it; a credit card skimmer is placed over the existing credit card machine.
“They are the exact replica of the machines you deal with in the store. They have the card swipe and the card reader,” said Davidson.
He said the criminals will use Bluetooth to connect the machine to their cellphones and collect the cash, leaving victims wondering how they are going to afford to eat.
The state of Ohio has warned EBT card users about the issue.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recommends that Ohioans with EBT cards take the following measures to prevent and detect fraud:
- Manage your benefits through the secure ConnectEBT app on your mobile phone or tablet.
- Users should take advantage of the card lock option, which allows the individual to lock the card from being used at a retailer location and unlock the card to provide access to benefits only while the individual makes a purchase.
- Users are able to block out-of-state transactions to in-person only.
- Create a PIN for your card that is unique and difficult to guess.
- Change your PIN monthly, before each scheduled deposit.
- Never share your card number or PIN. ODJFS will never ask for these numbers.
- Carefully examine point-of-sale card readers before using them to check for skimming devices.
- When using your card, cover the keypad with your body or hand to stop others from seeing your PIN.
You can learn how to protect your EBT card here.
Some lawmakers in Congress introduced a bill in March that would require the USDA to update security protections of SNAP cards and other measures.
You can read more about it here.