The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as the SNAP benefits or (before) as the food stamps, provide assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families to help them purchase nutritious food. You and your family could purchase a wide range of food items, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, bread, and cereals. You can also purchase seeds and plants that will produce food for your household.
Now, you cannot buy certain non-food items, like alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vitamins or supplements, hot prepared foods, pet food, household supplies, or non-food items such as cosmetics and toiletries. There are some non-food items that can be bought with this resources: hygiene products, baby formula, and certain non-alcoholic beverages. But, what happens when your SNAP benefits are stolen? Well, don’t worry: there’s a way to get your money back.
Getting your food stamps back: How to claim your SNAP benefits replacement
Every SNAP beneficiary receives their payment by the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and that mere fact poses a risk for them. Unfortunately, there are individuals and groups that attempt to defraud you: they will not hesitate to steal your important money, so you better take extra care on it.
Some scammers may offer cash to beneficiaries in exchange for their EBT card or PIN, claiming they can provide better deals or assistance. Remember, it’s illegal to sell or trade SNAP benefits for cash or other non-eligible items. Scammers may attempt to steal personal information, such as Social Security numbers or EBT card details, to fraudulently access SNAP benefits. Be cautious when providing personal information, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
New Mexico to replace stolen SNAP benefits in days
On June 22, the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) received reports regarding missing benefits from customers who had utilized their EBT cards at the Smith’s store in Los Lunas. Upon investigation, it was discovered that a card skimmer had been placed at a self-service kiosk in the store since May 25. This skimmer had affected all 488 customers who used their EBT cards at that particular kiosk.
A card skimmer is a device designed to capture sensitive card information, such as the cardholder’s account details. In this case, the skimmer was found at the self-service kiosk within the Smith’s store. The HSD promptly detected and removed the skimmer upon learning about its presence. A total of 488 customers who utilized their EBT cards at the compromised kiosk were impacted by the fraudulent activity. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the HSD immediately took action to assist these individuals and households in recovering their lost benefits.