‘It’s devastating’: Thousands of Utah families are losing their food stamps to scammers — here's how to protect your SNAP benefits

How does the scam work — and what are officials doing to stop it?

Thieves often use skimming devices — small, hidden card readers attached to store card machines — to steal EBT card numbers and PINs.

Some also use phishing texts or calls to trick recipients into revealing their card details. Once scammers have this information, they can clone the card and drain the account, often within hours of the monthly deposit being made.

However, when EBT fraud occurs, victims have little recourse. The federal funds once used to reimburse stolen benefits ran out in December 2024, and the state has not stepped in to fill the gap.

In a December memo, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told states they could use their own funds to replace stolen SNAP benefits. But Utah didn’t.

“In order to be able to do that, the Department of Workforce Services would need to have funds,” said Kevin Burt, deputy director of the department. “And there were not funds approved to be able to issue that type of reimbursement.”

Burt added that the department hadn’t requested those funds during the last legislative session because the deadline for funding requests came before officials realized the federal money would run out.

The USDA recently announced that states can now opt to upgrade their SNAP EBT cards to include chip technology, which could help deter card skimming. The federal government will reimburse states for half the cost of this upgrade. Utah officials say they’re exploring the option but haven’t committed to adopting chip cards yet.

In the meantime, the Department of Workforce Services is working with its EBT card vendor to improve card security. But for some Utahns, the move is not enough and comes too late.

“It’s not fair. It’s not our fault,” Wirtz said. “There should be some type of way for us to lock our card for us to protect ourselves.”

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How to protect your EBT/SNAP benefits

Until more secure systems are in place, SNAP recipients must be vigilant about keeping their cards — and their benefits — secure. Here are a few ways to protect yourself from EBT fraud.

Create a complex PIN and keep it a secret: Never share your card number or PIN with anyone who doesn't live with you. At the store, cover the keypad when entering your PIN to keep prying eyes away.

Watch for phishing attempts: State agencies will never call, text or email you asking for your PIN or full card number. Be cautious of messages asking for personal information, including emails and pop-ups on your computer.

Change your PIN often: Consider changing your PIN monthly, right before your deposit hits. This can help prevent thieves from using stolen data to access your funds.

Check your balance frequently: Monitor your EBT account for unauthorized charges or changes to your information. If you see any suspicious activity, change your PIN immediately and contact your local SNAP office.

Report theft right away: If you think your benefits were stolen, contact your local SNAP office or the USDA Office of Inspector General. You should also consider filing a police report.

For now, families like Wirtz’s are being forced to wait until the next month’s payment and rely on local food banks, which isn't always enough. As discussions continue about card security upgrades and potential policy changes, victims need to stay wary and take precautions.