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2 clusters · 6 sources · 1 days · First seen · Last updated

EBT card skimming fraud and mitigation

Overview

The U.S. Secret Service has launched investigations into a nationwide skimming scam targeting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Agents have identified sophisticated devices, some featuring fake security holograms, that can be installed in seconds to remotely transmit stolen account information and PINs via wireless transmitters. The Secret Service estimates a single skimmer can generate up to $1 million in stolen funds, with 32 active federal investigations currently spanning 15 states.

In response to rising fraud, New Jersey has begun rolling out encrypted chip-enabled EBT cards to protect food assistance benefits like SNAP. This initiative follows reports that recipients lost $355,000 to skimmers in 2022. Because federal law prevents the replacement of stolen benefits, the state is implementing a pilot program in Cumberland, Essex, and Mercer counties before a statewide expansion.

Entities

New Jersey · U.S. Secret Service · Wes Moore

Timeline

  1. 18 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    New Jersey rolls out chip-enabled EBT cards to combat fraud

    New Jersey is rolling out encrypted chip-enabled EBT cards to prevent fraud and card skimming from stealing food assistance benefits.

  2. 18 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    U.S. Secret Service investigates nationwide EBT card skimming scams

    The U.S. Secret Service is investigating sophisticated card skimming scams targeting EBT benefits across 15 states, with single devices capable of generating $1 million in stolen funds.

Sources

100percentfedup.com · mocoshow.com · nypost.com · offthepress.com · thebaynet.com · wpst.com