Criminals stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Ohio
According to the Federal Food and Nutrition Service, Ohio is among several states being targeted by criminals stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This is known as skimming. In skimming, criminals use a device placed over a point-of-sale card reader that steals information from payment cards like SNAP EBT and cash assistance cards. This means SNAP or cash assistance benefits could be stolen without a customer knowing. Unfortunately, we learned this week that Cuyahoga County now has confirmed cases of this type of fraud, so it is important for us to share this information with as many people as we can.
Public assistance fraud is a crime! Fraud occurs when a person knowingly and purposely provides false information about their circumstance to obtain benefits. This is unfair to the taxpayers and the people who are really in need of assistance. The Cuyahoga County Department of Health and Human Services (CCDHHS) Department of Investigations and the Fraud Control Section at ODJFS are working together to investigate these claims. ODJFS reports they are also working with federal investigators as this scheme appears to be spread across multiple states and involves a federally funded program.
Cuyahoga Job and Family Services (CJFS) is sharing with our community partners the same information to assist with preventing public assistance fraud and keeping the residents that we serve safe from this crime. Please help us get the message out by sharing the information below on how to safeguard SNAP benefits with the customers you serve. Please also visit our social media and share the messages that we have posted on the SNAP scam. Together we can spread awareness and protect residents of Cuyahoga County.
The ODJFS is taking a proactive approach to address public assistance fraud and is sending customers “Tips for keeping your SNAP EBT and Cash cards safe” to increase awareness among customers on card skimming. These messages include ways customers can report fraud, tips to keep their cards safe, and some things to look out for.
We want to make our partners aware of the ways to report fraud so that you can assist a customer should the need arise. If a customer believes their benefits have been stolen, please notify the CCDHHS Department of Investigations’ and file a theft report with the local law enforcement agency. Below are the different ways you can report public benefit fraud:
- Complete and submit the online Public Assistance Fraud Form
- Call the CDHHS Fraud Hotline at (216) 987- 6950
In the Spirit of Service,
Kevin J. Gowan
Administrator
Phone: 216-987-6640
Kevin.gowan01@jfs.ohio.gov
Eligibility Contact Center: 1-844-640-OHIO
Email documents to: JFS-Cuyahoga-MIPC@jfs.ohio.gov
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