Frances Jacobson, a resident of Mobile, Alabama, found herself in a dire situation when she discovered that her SNAP EBT account had been drained. On November 9th, as she was checking the balance of her EBT account, she noticed two transactions that totaled $173 but left her with a mere five cents. This incident is not an isolated one; Alabama's Department of Human Resources has reported that hackers have stolen millions of dollars from EBT users.

How Hackers Are Stealing Benefits

Daniel Sparkman from Alabama DHR explained that these fraudsters are targeting people by using skimmers on top of credit card devices at gas stations and other businesses. They are also hitting the third-party vendor system with bot calls and using stolen personal identifying information such as social security numbers and date of birth. By doing so, they are able to obtain enough information to steal the benefits. DHR is working on security upgrades, such as converting EBT cards to have chips, which will make them more secure. Users can also go online and turn their cards on and off.

Jacobson has been in contact with the Mobile Food Stamp office for two weeks but has not received a response. With the holiday season upon us, she is extremely worried as she has no food in her account and cannot even make a Thanksgiving dinner for herself. She expressed her anger towards the thieves, saying, "You guys are some pathetic pieces of junk. You take stuff from people who have nothing."

If you are a victim of stolen benefits, DHR advises that you contact a county DHR office and report your SNAP benefit stolen. Stolen benefits must be reported within 30 days of the theft being discovered.

Security Measures and User Actions

The conversion of EBT cards to have chips is an important security measure being implemented by DHR. Chips provide an additional layer of protection against fraud and unauthorized access. Users can also take proactive steps by going online and managing their EBT cards. Turning the cards on and off can help prevent unauthorized use and provide an extra level of security.

However, despite these measures, victims like Jacobson are still left facing the consequences of the theft. It is crucial for both DHR and EBT users to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to protect these vital benefits.

Impact on Victims During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for Jacobson and other EBT victims, it has become a time of worry and uncertainty. With no food in their accounts, they are unable to enjoy the holiday season in the same way as others. This highlights the importance of having secure and reliable benefit systems in place.

DHR is working hard to address these issues and provide assistance to victims. But in the meantime, victims like Jacobson are left struggling to make ends meet and provide for themselves and their families during this difficult time.