CLEVELAND — Families across the country have fallen victim to a growing trend of SNAP benefit thefts, and now the crimes are impacting residents in Cuyahoga County.
Area officials report that in the first two weeks of December alone, nearly 1,200 individuals had their food stamp benefits stolen — a devastating blow during the holiday season.
Kevin Gowan, director of job and family services for the county, explained to 3News that criminals have been using skimming devices to steal card data and PIN numbers at points of sale. These tactics allow thieves to drain benefits from unsuspecting victims.
"This is not a Cuyahoga County or Ohio problem," Gowan stressed. "This is a nationwide problem."
The county first identified these types of thefts during the summer and fall of 2023, but the frequency has only increased since.
"We've seen a couple upticks," Gowan said. "March of this year, there was a fairly significant uptick. But this fall — starting really in August — we saw a very significant uptick in this type of theft."
The crimes have disproportionately affected Cuyahoga's most vulnerable residents, leaving families scrambling to make ends meet.
"It's affecting the most vulnerable people in the county — those who need SNAP benefits to put food on the table for their families," Gowan stated.
How to protect yourself
Gowan and other officials are urging residents to monitor their benefit balances closely. Those who noticed discrepancies were advised to contact the Department of Job and Family Services immediately for assistance. More information on reporting stolen benefits can be found here.
Replacement of stolen benefits
Officials were able to replace up to two months' worth of stolen SNAP benefits. However, the deadline for recovering funds was set for this past Friday, Dec. 15.
Additional resources
Besides visiting the DJFS' website for more on SNAP benefits and eligibility, residents can get tips on how to protect themselves for card skimming and other types of fraud via the Federal Trade Commission. As the holiday season continues, county leaders will continue working to raise awareness about these crimes, hoping to prevent further thefts and protect families from being targeted.