Reports of theft from EBT accounts are rapidly rising in Kentucky. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services says over 2,000 EBT theft claims were submitted in the first quarter of 2024. This has resulted in more than $1 million being stolen. This is four times the amount from the previous quarter.
Louisville grandmother Angel Lathan is among those affected by this growing issue. Angel relies on food stamps and KTAP funds from the government. She cares for her five grandchildren and battles cancer. “I’ve got a lot of mouths to feed,” Lathan said. “A lot of people depend on me and ask, ‘What are we gonna do?’” So, when Lathan opened her EBT account on July 1 and saw that most of her funds had been stolen, she was devastated.
To help safeguard your EBT funds, consider the following tips:
- Regularly monitor your account for any suspicious activity.
- Change your PIN frequently and avoid using easily guessable numbers.
- Report any suspected theft immediately to the authorities.
As the issue of EBT theft continues to grow, it’s essential for recipients to stay vigilant and proactive in protecting their benefits.
Lathan’s Struggle for Answers
Lathan says she still hasn’t received any answers to her questions. Some government employees have even acknowledged that she may never recover the $650 she lost.
A Shared Struggle Among Louisville Families
As tragic as Lathan’s story sounds, other families in Louisville are facing the same predicament.
Cheyenne Fenwick’s Battle
Cheyenne Fenwick, a 22-year-old mother of three, is also grappling with a similar situation. Despite her young age, Fenwick has been left to care for her three young kids on her own. Unfortunately, she too fell victim to hackers.
In the early morning hours of July 1, nearly $650 was taken from her account. With limited resources, she is struggling to keep her children fed.
“Honestly, I’m not going to be able to much longer,” Fenwick admitted. “So, I created a GoFundMe to see if that could help a little bit.”
The plight of these families highlights a growing issue in Louisville, where many are finding themselves vulnerable and without recourse. Their stories are a call for greater support and solutions to help those in need.
While Kentucky has laws designed to curb theft, Tyler Offerman of the non-profit law firm, The Kentucky Equal Justice Center, notes that there hasn’t been much action from lawmakers and law enforcement in recent times.
The Rise in Theft
“With the advances in technology, the lack of response from policymakers, and the increased availability of benefits during the pandemic, criminals saw an opportunity to exploit these systems,” Offerman explained.
How to Protect Yourself
Experts recommend several strategies to prevent being targeted by thieves:
- Don’t use easy-to-guess PINs on your EBT card.
- Change your PIN regularly, especially at the end of the month. Hackers typically target funds just after they are deposited at the beginning of the month.
- If your food stamps or other EBT funds are stolen, report the incident as soon as possible to the Department of Community Based Services at 1-855-306-8959.
Tracking and Returning Stolen Funds
Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services monitors theft claims and assists in returning missing funds to those who report stolen benefits. According to the USDA’s SNAP Benefits dashboard, the cabinet has successfully returned more than $640,000 of the $1 million reported stolen since the beginning of 2024.
