Fraud investigators all over the United States are trying to follow in the footsteps of scammers who are committing fraud against people who receive SNAP benefits. These transfers are received through the ETB card and, which can be put at risk if the recipients do not take the corresponding precautions.
Across the nation, an alarming trend has emerged, with cunning thieves resorting to skimmers and debit card cloning machines to plunder the e-benefit accounts within the SNAP benefits’ system. Here are the common scams that fraudsters are committing against those in the need, so you avoid being the next victim.
The problems with the SNAP system’s security and how can that put your money at risk
“The fundamental problem with SNAP is that they’re using technology from the 1970s,” said Haywood Talcove, CEO of the government division at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. “They’re using processes from the 1960s. And they have a program that spends approximately $157 billions annually, using technology that a 9-year-old can bypass.”
Sadly, as the expert stated above, the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are not rocked science, hence, they’re vulnerable. These cards are used to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers. While the SNAP program serves as a lifeline for many, you better get to know the potential security risks associated with EBT cards and the vulnerability they may pose to hackers.
The most common risks for your SNAP benefits’ EBT cards
The most usual concern regarding the security of EBT cards is the possibility of data breaches. Hackers may attempt to gain unauthorized access to the systems that store cardholder information, such as Social Security numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs), and transaction history. Such breaches can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and the misuse of personal information for illicit activities. Do NOT share your personal data in unsafe places or webpages, and never give anyone your passwords or PINs.
Regarding this last thing, EBT cardholders may choose weak or easily guessable PINs, leaving their accounts vulnerable to unauthorized access. Hackers can utilize automated programs to systematically guess PIN combinations, potentially gaining control of the card and its associated benefits. Moreover, if the authentication process for accessing EBT accounts lacks multi-factor authentication or other robust security measures, it increases the risk of unauthorized access.
EBT cards rely on magnetic stripe or chip technology, which can be vulnerable to skimming attacks. Hackers can use skimming devices or malware to capture cardholder information during transactions, including card numbers and PINs. This stolen data can be used to create counterfeit EBT cards or for fraudulent activities, jeopardizing the security and integrity of the SNAP program.