Thieves have stolen over $5 million worth of food stamps from families in Kentucky and Indiana in the past year, draining accounts linked to EBT cards. One victim, Austin Metzler, who relies on SNAP benefits to feed his family, had his card drained while shopping for groceries, leaving him with only .46 cents on it. The theft of SNAP benefits has been a widespread issue, with hackers using skimmers to capture personal information and clone cards for fraudulent use. Kentucky has spent over $2 million and Indiana over $3 million to replace stolen benefits. The new federal law requires states to replace benefits stolen between October 2022 and September 2024, but there are delays in getting the replacement funds to SNAP accounts.
Metzler believes that security measures need to be strengthened to prevent such thefts in the future. He also expressed concern for other families who may not have the support of their community to help them get through such difficult situations. Victims of SNAP benefit theft can report it to the Department for Community Based Services and take steps to have their benefits replaced. The incident has shed light on the vulnerability of the SNAP system and the need for better security measures to protect families who depend on these benefits for their daily sustenance.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
