SC Social Services is sounding the alarm over SNAP benefit fraud

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) – Officials with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) have issued a warning about potential fraud impacting SNAP benefits across the state. Thieves are targeting these recipients and can wipe EBT cards clean, allowing them to take advantage of the benefits of more than 277,000 households in South Carolina.

Since August, DSS officials confirm they have investigated 3,474 fraud reports. Connelly-Anne Rageley, head of external affairs at DSS, emphasizes that the problem is not unique to South Carolina.

“There are scammers out there. They are ruthless. They will do everything they can to get ahead. They are thieves and they have no ethics or mercy for a struggling family or for a single mother or father trying to raise their family,” Ragley said. ‘They don’t care. They are there to steal and harm, and they don’t care who is affected by this. While we cannot prevent all crime, we want you to have the tools, resources and reminders to ensure you do not become a victim of this electronic theft.”

Those thieves can target these cards through skimmers, by cloning the cards or through other electronic thefts. Officials warn that most cases of theft can occur without the victim’s knowledge.

“These are not cases where someone takes a card out of someone’s purse and uses it themselves. This is electronic theft, which means things like skimming, phishing, smishing and all the various unfortunate tools thieves use to steal these benefits from families who really need them most,” Ragley said.

Ragley says the most important thing South Carolina residents receiving the benefits can do to protect themselves is to make sure they check their accounts regularly through the state-approved mobile app.

“We really want to reassure people and emphasize that the only official app that the South Carolina Department of Social Services recommends for managing your EBT card and SNAP benefits is the Connect EBT app,” Ragley said. “That is the official app that we use and is authorized by DSS. I know if you go to an app store for your Android or your Apple phone, there are tons of apps. We cannot verify that these apps do not steal your information or electronically erase your card benefits.”

Anyone who believes their benefits have been stolen is encouraged to report it immediately and request that the money be replaced. SNAP customers who believe their benefits have been stolen electronically should immediately report the loss to local law enforcement authorities, and recipients should call 24-hour toll-free customer service at 1-800-554-5268 to cancel their EBT card and retain their benefits to protect .

Victims must also complete an Affidavit of Loss and submit it to their county DSS office.