ASK 2: What is ‘SNAP skimming?’

HOUSTON – People across the country have reported an increasing number of cases where their SNAP benefits have been stolen and used, leaving them with little to no money for food.

Even the federal government says it’s a problem that’s getting worse.

“EBT fraud, including the use of card skimming to steal benefits, is on the rise,” the USDA said in a post on its website.

READ: Millions of dollars in SNAP benefits stolen from Texans. But state, feds won’t share who’s taking them

This is known as ‘SNAP skimming,’ a term that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services gave to the crime.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the largest food assistance program in the country, benefiting 41 million Americans each year with a price tag of $115 billion.

How it works

SNAP skimming is not a new technology or even a new crime.

Bad actors are stealing SNAP card, or EBT (electronic benefit transfer) information, the same way they stole credit and debit card information years ago.

Small devices, often unnoticeable to the untrained eye, are installed on payment terminals at stores, gas stations and other businesses where SNAP benefits are accepted.

These devices read the information from SNAP cards and the pin number that is entered.

That data is then stored and/or transmitted to another device.

“This is called card cloning. Thieves use the fake cards to purchase food and beverages from SNAP-authorized stores using stolen SNAP benefits,” the USDA wrote on its website.

READ: State employees suspected of stealing from low-income Texans’ public assistance accounts

Once this information is compromised, bad actors can create a duplicate of a SNAP card and use it at stores, wiping out the money in the victim’s account.

How to spot a skimmer

Here’s three quick tips on how you can spot a skimming device and what you should do if you think you’ve found a skimmer.

According to Texas Health and Human Services, here’s what to keep an eye out for:

• Evidence of loose pieces that have been glued or tapped in place.
• Places where a video camera may face the card reader or PIN pad of a register.
• Number keys that feel soft, spongy or covered in plastic.

What should you do if you’ve spotted a skimmer?

“If you encounter a suspicious device immediately notify store management and local law enforcement,” TxHHS wrote online.

On top of that, it’s time to protect your data. Call your SNAP benefits manager (Texas Health and Human Services) or your bank to make sure there aren’t any fraudulent transactions.

Stopping SNAP skimming

The solution is rather simple. Actually, you might even have it in your wallet or purse right now.

SNAP payment cards lack common security features needed to protect the information on the cards.

Look at your debit or credit card. Do you have a little chip or even contactless payment or “tap to pay?”

That’s called an EMV chip. (Fun Fact: EMV stands for Europay, Mastercard and Visa)

Those were developed out of convenience, but also to strengthen your card’s security.

To put it into perspective, the chip in debit and credit cards was required in October 2015. Retailers were pressured by banks and credit card issuers to upgrade their systems to accept EMV cards or face a “liability shift” for fraudulent transactions.

However, ten years later, only one state has yet to roll out a chip-enabled SNAP benefits card.

Simply put, the SNAP cards are a decade behind when it comes to card security technology.

Only one state so far has shipped out SNAP cards with a chip in them.

California is the first state in the country to have the extra layer of security.

The state began issuing out the new cards in January 2025, according to the USDA.

Oklahoma, Alabama and Maryland are close to joining the list of states with chip-enabled SNAP cards, but haven’t issued the cards to participants yet.

However, the National Grocers Association is encouraging retailers around the country to prepare for what’s eventually coming down the road.

“SNAP EBT Cards are moving from magnetic stripes to also include a chip, which both modernizes EBT and improves security,” the group posted on its website. California and Oklahoma will be the first states to issue chip cards, beginning early 2025. Your grocery business is likely to see customers using the chip cards before your state’s roll-out, as a SNAP EBT card can be used in any state.”

When asked about the state of SNAP cards with chip technology in the Lone Star State, Texas Health and Human Services wouldn’t provide a timeline.

“HHSC continues to research the possibility and challenges of implementing chip cards,” a spokesperson told KPRC 2.

Protect yourself from SNAP skimming

Without chip security in your SNAP card, what should you do to avoid becoming a victim?

Only shop at reputable retailers. Prevention can help avoid a whole lot of headaches down the road.

Also, many states, including Texas, offer the ability to lock/unlock your SNAP benefits card from a mobile app.

This allows you to effectively “turn off” your card when you’re not using and “turn on” your card at the store when you’re ready to make a purchase.

“HHSC offers tools through the Your Texas Benefits website and mobile app that allows clients to monitor their card transactions, change their PIN, and lock their card between purchases,“ a TxHHS spokesperson told KPRC 2. ”This includes the ability to freeze, unfreeze or request a new card by calling the Lone Star Card Help Desk or on the Your Texas Benefits mobile app. Since February 2023, clients have had the ability to freeze and unfreeze a card via the mobile app.”

If you believe your SNAP benefits have been stolen or that your EBT card (Lone Star card) has been compromised, immediately contact the HHS Lone Star Card Help Desk at (800) 777-7328 to cancel the card.

Are you a victim of SNAP Skimming? Send a message to 2 Helps You so we can investigate your case.