In recent months, scammers have managed to steal a staggering nearly $5 million from Alabama families who rely on food stamps. This has had a profound impact on the lives of these families, leaving them in a state of financial distress. November alone saw a significant increase, with the Alabama Department of Human Resources receiving nearly 14,000 requests from families seeking reimbursement for funds stolen by scammers. This surge is a cause for concern and highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance.

Protecting Alabama Families from Food Stamp Scams

Scammers' Tactics and Impact

Melissa Prince, a Birmingham resident, vividly shares her harrowing experience. In October, phone scammers pretending to be from the DHR stole her benefits. They tricked her into believing that if she didn't enter her EBT card number and PIN, she wouldn't receive her monthly payment. The call seemed legitimate, and she was left confused and helpless. Soon after, when she went to the store to buy school snacks for her grandkids, she was shocked to find that her card had been wiped clean. She had to rely on food banks, churches, and the kindness of family and friends for two weeks. This incident not only affected her but also her grandchildren, depriving them of essential food.Prince's story is not an isolated one. The EBT app showed that her money was being used in stores in New York and Ohio, indicating the widespread reach of these scammers. It's a cruel reality that families already facing tough times are now being targeted by these criminals.

Steps to Protect Yourself

The Alabama Department of Human Resources is taking proactive measures to help families protect themselves. They advise changing your PIN often, at least twice a month, including right before your benefit issuance date and after each use. Avoid using simple PINs like 1111, 1234, or 9876, as they are easy for others to guess. Keep your PIN and card number secret and never share them with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN on a machine to prevent others from seeing it.Be wary of phishing attempts. The DHR will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number. Regularly check your EBT account for unauthorized charges. If you notice anything suspicious, change your PIN immediately to stop the thief from making new purchases. Report any suspicious activity to your county DHR office.

Fraud Types and Retailer Responsibilities

There are various types of fraud that families may fall victim to. Card skimming, where devices are illegally installed on credit card machines to capture card data or PINs, is a common method. Card cloning, where the captured data is used to create fake EBT cards and steal from households' accounts, is another. Other similar fraudulent methods include phone calls or text messages that mimic official DHR messaging and phishing.The department is also asking retailers to play their part. They should check their card payment devices and scanners daily for signs of tampering or card skimming devices. The public is urged to stay vigilant when shopping at retailers that accept EBT. If you see anything suspicious, report it immediately to the retailer. These criminals are using sophisticated methods, and retailers need to work with the DHR to shut them down.

System Outage and Relief Efforts

There will be a planned outage of the EBT system from Dec. 7 at 10 p.m. to Dec. 8 at 6 a.m. to install new security features. This is an important step in enhancing the security of the system and protecting families from further thefts.The DHR team is working hard to process reimbursement claims timely and provide some relief to the affected families. However, they need everyone's help to stop these criminals. Location and contact information for all 67 county DHR offices to help process requests can be found here.This is a crucial issue that affects the well-being of Alabama families. By staying informed and taking the necessary precautions, we can work together to protect these families from the clutches of scammers.