The problem of stolen benefits is becoming an extremely serious concern in the state of Ohio as a result of the growing prices at the food shop.
ABC6 On Your Side Problem Solvers has been informed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services that a stunning seven million dollars has been stolen from the purses of those who rely on these monies to provide for their families.
Because of this issue, a vulnerability that affects a large number of households across the state has been brought to light.
Consider the case of Erica McAllister, a mother who hails from Columbus. She said, “At one point, I was donating plasma, and we just used that for groceries,” as she recounted the time when thieves emptied her of $1,500 in benefits in September of this past year.
Not only are these money a complement for Erica and a great number of other people, but they are also a lifeline for them. “There is a reason why we rely on this on a monthly basis. In order to provide sustenance for us.
Because it is essential. To live is to act. I would not be able to make it through this life without it. It would be taken away from my children,” she emphasized.
Fraudulent SNAP Transactions Highlight Urgent Need for Enhanced Security Measures
Over the course of the summer, the Problem Solvers team has been flooded with inquiries from viewers who have reported fraudulent transactions on their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) accounts.
Surprisingly, while attempting to use their SNAP cards, a number of people have discovered that their balances have been completely wiped off.
It is the responsibility of the state of Ohio to oversee the SNAP program, despite the fact that it is funded by the federal government. Unfortunately, the security procedures that are now in place are not meeting expectations.
The only security element that is included in SNAP cards is a magnetic strip; these cards do not have any other advanced security features, such as a chip or a tap system, which may potentially prevent theft.
There would be a cost of fifteen million dollars associated with upgrading to chip-enabled cards, as stated by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. This is a cost that the state is not willing to bear.
Not only does the continued theft bring to light the urgent requirement for enhanced safety precautions, but it also raises issues about the priorities that the state has in place to safeguard its most vulnerable citizens.
Nevertheless, the question that still needs to be addressed is how to protect these vital benefits without putting an undue financial load on the state. As soon as I realized that my supper was gone, I was overcome with emotion.
Deborah Kaun, who was overcome with emotion after finding out that her credit card had been struck with more fraudulent transactions, which resulted in the loss of $200 in benefits, said that she felt as like it had been stolen right out of her mouth.
The Impact of Fraud on Fixed Incomes
Because Kaun was living on a restricted salary, she had to make the difficult decision to forego paying her water bill in order to guarantee that she would have sufficient funds for food.
She communicated her feelings by saying, “I never dreamed that it would happen to me,” with tears in her eyes.
Widespread SNAP Card Fraud
It has been announced by the state that approximately 12,000 SNAP cardholders have been victims of fraud since October 2022, and that nearly $7 million has been stolen from them simultaneously.
Cardholders are strongly encouraged to change their personal identification numbers (PINs) after each and every transaction by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).
McAllister, another cardholder who is attempting to protect herself from fraud, stated, “I have been changing my personal identification number (PIN) every month.”
Security Measures Across States
While the states of California and Oklahoma are making preparations to incorporate security chips into their state SNAP cards in the coming year, the state of Ohio has made the decision not to take this step.
Problem Solvers received a statement from Thomas Betti, the spokesperson for the ODJFS, in which he addressed the situation.
- According to the ODJFS, the introduction of chip-enabled cards for SNAP beneficiaries would initially cost approximately $15 million. These estimates are taken from unofficial sources.
- It is anticipated that the continuous maintenance for chip-enabled cards will increase the expenditures to a total of $5 million yearly, which is a twofold increase from the existing amount of $2.5 million.
- The values presented here are approximations; the exact expenses would need to be established through agreements with Conduent, the company that provides EBT assistance.