Year-over-year performance reports are considered essential for analyzing trends and growth patterns. By comparing data from different years, one can quickly identify trends, patterns, and cycles in a department’s performance. A useful tool for Connecticut’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) to help them realize that they have a massive problem. According to the state Department of Social Services data, the theft of SNAP benefits within the state of Connecticut jumped from $132,455 in the 2023 fiscal year to $2,584,662 in FY 2024. A staggering 1,800% increase in stolen governments benefits. And it appears that the reason might be that fraudsters technology is more advanced than the governments.
The fact that SNAP benefit cards have no microchips has been long known. Without it, the card’s information has no protection from fraudsters. And if that doesn’t lose a recipient benefits, phishing text messages and emails will take care of it. Many recipients have innocently given card information in response to emails or texts saying their card has been locked or needs to be reauthorized. After victims put in their card information, the data goes directly to the criminals. And the benefits are gone before the recipient has a chance.
But wait! There is a solution according to the Department of Social Services. Changing the card’s PIN after each purchase is now recommended. Nothing like putting more burden on the recipient! Month-on-month performance reports show the number of SNAP benefit thefts was increasing in June. But data from the first few days (day-on-day performance reports?) of July suggests that the problem might be waning. While the DSS claims the decrease is indicative of the effectiveness of its education and awareness campaign, it could be because fraudsters on vacation for the week. Either way, it would behoove Connecticut, and all the other states catch up with changes in technology and implement them into SNAP benefit cards.
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “‘Unconscionable’: CT SNAP benefit thefts surge by 1,800%” published by the CT Mirror on July 9, 2024
Nahelly Helly, a Bridgeport mother of three, went to the grocery store early on June 1 to stock up on groceries for the month with a newly reloaded EBT card. But by 7 a.m., the account was empty, wiped out by an unknown thief.
The theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP benefits or food stamps, jumped from $132,455 in the 2023 fiscal year to $2,584,662 in FY 2024, according to state Department of Social Services data — a 1,800% increase. The number of thefts reported grew from 177 in January to 2,855 in June.
