WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) are urging SNAP recipients to change their EBT card PINs each month as a precaution against benefit theft—a growing issue that’s also allegedly affecting recipients in West Virginia.
The warning from Pennsylvania officials follows a surge in reported cases of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card skimming.
Skimming involves the illegal capture of card information at point-of-sale machines, which is then used to steal benefits, often after monthly payments are deposited.
“We are constantly working to ensure that the benefits DHS administers stay with the Pennsylvanians who need them. The Department of Human Services is aware of skimming incidents that have been targeting SNAP recipients – card skimming and SNAP theft have been issues nationwide,” said Pennsylvania DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh.
“Do not become a victim of this crime. Make sure you change your PIN every month, and when you swipe your EBT card at a card reader, please make sure a skimming device is not attached.”
Though these warnings are coming from Pennsylvania, reports suggest that SNAP recipients in West Virginia are experiencing similar problems with missing or stolen benefits.
According to the Pennsylvania OSIG, stolen card data is often used after monthly benefit distribution, when larger sums are available on the card.
“OSIG is hard at work investigating instances of skimming across Pennsylvania and prosecuting the criminals involved,” said Pennsylvania State Inspector General Michelle Henry.
“We urge Pennsylvanians to remain diligent and follow the steps outlined here to protect their SNAP benefits from skimming. As part of our ongoing investigations, OSIG agents have identified and removed skimmers from grocery stores and will continue to work closely with DHS and local law enforcement to protect the integrity of these vital programs.”
For West Virginia residents, instructions on how to change EBT PINs and report suspicious activity can be found here.
LOOTPRESS has contacted the West Virginia Department of Human Services for comment and is awaiting a response.
