Cleveland is facing a concerning issue as Cuyahoga County witnesses a significant increase in electronic benefits theft. Patricia Warren was shocked to discover that her EBT card had been drained overnight, leaving her with only a few dollars. This 65-year-old great-grandmother is not alone; the county has received a record-high 1,199 reports of EBT theft this month. Such thefts, carried out by criminal rings using card-skimming devices, are a growing problem nationwide.

Uncovering the Crisis of Electronic Benefits Theft in Cuyahoga County

Impact on Victims

Patricia Warren's story is just one example of the hardships faced by victims. Her monthly payment of $153 disappeared while she slept, leaving her in a difficult situation. With food banks already strained, these thefts add to the burden on those in need. Katie Gedeon from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank has seen an increase in people seeking help due to EBT theft. Mothers are struggling to put food on the table for their families, and older adults on fixed incomes are also affected.

Ohio has processed over 25,000 food-stamp theft reports since June 2023 and has repaid upwards of $12.6 million in stolen benefits. However, the reimbursement window is set to close this week unless lawmakers act. This leaves EBT cardholders vulnerable if they are scammed after December 20th.

Security Measures and Challenges

Advocates are pushing for better security on EBT cards. Currently, EBT cards have a magnetic stripe and a PIN, making them more susceptible to fraud compared to debit and credit cards with embedded chips. Congress created a federal reimbursement program in late 2022, but it has its limitations. Victims can only be reimbursed twice a year for up to two months' worth of benefits.

In Cuyahoga County, it takes four to five weeks to investigate fraud reports and issue reimbursements. Many families will not receive their grocery money back before the holidays. Local fraud claims initially spiked in February and March, then soared in August and have remained high since. Kevin Gowan, leading the county's job and family services department, is trying to find more resources to address the issue.

Precautionary Measures

To protect themselves, EBT cardholders are urged to change their PINs frequently and use the ConnectEBT mobile app to temporarily lock their cards. Patricia Warren only learned about the card-lock option recently and has been unable to access the app on her phone. She uses another app to track her spending and balance.

The U.S. Secret Service and partner agencies are chasing the thieves. Blaine Forschen, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Cleveland field office, said several suspects have been identified and some have been arrested in other states. However, no recent card-skimming reports have been received.

Patricia Warren will rely on her large family, the food bank, and her faith to get through the holidays. Despite the challenges, she remains hopeful that justice will be served.