A surge in sophisticated welfare fraud rings, largely operated by Romanian criminals, is wreaking havoc on Americans relying on government-issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Authorities estimate that, in the past year alone, tens of millions of dollars have been stolen using debit cards and exploiting the absence of chips in EBT cards.
What happens?
The criminals use a process called “skimming” to copy card information from ATMs and empty accounts before victims can access their funds. While some steal cash through ATM withdrawals, many sell these cards on the black market.
States like Texas, Oregon and New York have reported a surge in stolen EBT payments, but Los Angeles County has been hit the hardest.
The U.S. Secret Service ended up arresting dozens of Romanian nationals involved in the crime in the L.A. area, since September.
Tips on to stay safe
- Monitor account activity regularly and check your bank/ EBT account transactions for any suspicious activity.
- Use strong and unique passwords for online accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
- Keep your EBT and debit cards safe and report lost or stolen cards immediately.
- Contact authorities and report any suspected fraud or unusual activities related to your bank accounts.
- Use ATMs located in well-lit and secure areas to reduce the risk of card skimming.