A growing wave of electronic benefit theft has left thousands of Utah families without access to critical food assistance, sparking outrage and concern from public officials and social service advocates.
Scammers targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, are exploiting electronic systems and stealing funds from the state’s most vulnerable populations.
A New Threat: SNAP Benefits Are Being Drained by Scammers
Utah has seen a troubling rise in SNAP benefit theft, primarily due to sophisticated scams involving card skimming, phishing, and cloning. These crimes often occur at retail outlets where Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are swiped or inserted, allowing scammers to capture card data and personal identification numbers (PINs).
Once this data is obtained, thieves use it to drain the accounts of unsuspecting families.
For low-income households relying on SNAP to put food on the table, the consequences are catastrophic.
“It’s devastating,” said Amy Jones, a Salt Lake City mother of three. “I went to buy groceries and everything was gone from my account. That was supposed to last us the whole month.”
In recent months, Utah’s Department of Workforce Services (DWS) has reported hundreds of cases of benefit theft, amounting to thousands of dollars in stolen assistance. The problem is not unique to Utah—states nationwide have reported similar incidents—but Utah is among those seeing a sharp increase in frequency and financial impact.
How Thieves Are Exploiting the SNAP System
Scammers are using hidden skimming devices placed on legitimate card readers at grocery stores and convenience stores to collect EBT data. These devices are often undetectable to the average consumer. In some cases, phishing messages disguised as official communication from state agencies trick users into giving away their account information voluntarily.
Once the scammers clone the card and acquire the PIN, they can make purchases or withdraw cash before the victim even realizes the funds are missing.
What makes this crime even more damaging is that SNAP benefits are not automatically reimbursed, unlike traditional credit or debit card transactions. In many cases, once the benefits are gone, they’re gone for good—leaving families with few options.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has acknowledged the issue and is working with state agencies to implement protective measures. A federal law passed in late 2022 allows states to use federal funds to replace stolen SNAP benefits, but many victims are still waiting for reimbursements due to processing delays and case backlogs.
What Utah Is Doing to Respond
The Utah DWS has begun working with law enforcement and the federal government to investigate and prevent future thefts. New security protocols are being explored, including chip-enabled EBT cards, encrypted transactions, and mobile alerts for suspicious activity. However, implementation could take months or even years.
In the meantime, state officials are urging SNAP recipients to take precautions:
- Change your EBT card PIN frequently.
- Check your balance and transaction history regularly.
- Avoid using suspicious-looking card readers.
- Report lost or stolen cards immediately.
SNAP beneficiaries in Utah can visit jobs.utah.gov/mycase to manage their benefits securely and report fraud.
“We are taking this issue seriously,” said Nate Checketts, executive director of the Utah DWS. “We are working with federal partners to both stop the criminals and help victims recover what they’ve lost.”
How to Protect Your SNAP Benefits from Scams
If you or someone you know is receiving SNAP benefits, taking the following steps can significantly reduce the risk of being targeted:
- Use trusted retailers: Shop only at stores with secure payment systems and look out for unusual attachments on card readers.
- Shield your PIN: When entering your PIN, always cover the keypad to block prying eyes or hidden cameras.
- Review your EBT account: Regularly log into your account or call the EBT customer service line to monitor your balance.
- Stay alert for phishing: Do not click on links in unsolicited emails or texts claiming to be from the Utah DWS or the USDA.
- Report fraud immediately: If you suspect your benefits have been stolen, call the Utah EBT hotline at 1-800-997-4444.
The Bigger Picture: A Call for Reform
While personal vigilance can help, advocates say the root of the problem lies in outdated technology and insufficient cybersecurity measures in the SNAP program. Most EBT cards still use magnetic stripe technology, making them vulnerable to skimming and cloning.
Several lawmakers are now pushing for nationwide upgrades to the EBT system, including chip cards and digital wallets. Others are advocating for increased funding to state agencies to improve fraud detection and provide quicker reimbursements for victims.
Until comprehensive reform is enacted, however, many Utah families remain at risk. For families already living paycheck to paycheck, losing their SNAP benefits to fraud can lead to food insecurity, emotional distress, and a loss of faith in the system meant to protect them.
For more information on SNAP benefit protection and fraud prevention, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.
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