$500K stolen from EBT cards in a single week in RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Islanders have seen a dizzying surge in EBT card fraud over the past week, with about $500,000 stolen from cards in the Providence, Cranston and Pawtucket areas.

ORIGINAL NOTE: https://www.wpri.com/target-12/500k-stolen-from-ebt-cards-in-a-single-week-in-ri/

by: Eli Sherman, Sarah Guernelli

The R.I. Department of Human Services (DHS) confirmed Thursday more than 1,800 beneficiaries using the SNAP benefit cards were affected. State officials said the fraud isn’t connected to the recent cyberattack that potentially affected more than 700,000 Rhode Islanders.

Instead, they’re blaming skimming devices, which are instruments fraudsters attach to payment machines, and they steal people’s EBT information when they’re buying things like groceries and other household essentials.

“I was just baffled because I knew I didn’t use any,” said Richard Vasquez, a Providence resident, who discovered his EBT card had no funds when he tried to use it at a store.

Without the funds, Vasquez said he’s not sure how he’s going to put food on his table.

“Are you supposed to look at your kids and say, ‘Well, don’t eat all that meal right now because you’ve got to save some for later?’” he said.

To put the level of fraud over the past week in context, federal officials reported in January only having reimbursed $411,000 in stolen SNAP benefits for 1,047 approved claims during all of 2023 and 2024.

And unlike during those years, federal officials are no longer picking up the tab for stolen benefits, leaving it up to states to decide whether to budget for the losses. So far, Rhode Island lawmakers have chosen not to include any money in the upcoming budget to cover such losses, meaning people are unlikely to get reimbursed if their money is stolen.

“I recognize the level of concern, frustration, and uncertainty this can cause for our SNAP community,” DHS Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito said in a statement. “In addition, the recent end of the federal reimbursement of stolen funds has created further complications for customers.”

State officials said they believe the majority of the skimming of EBT cards over the past week happened a single location, which they didn’t disclose. Asked about the fraud on Thursday, Gov. Dan McKee recommended people reach out to human services with any concerns.

“They’re the ones who are managing these cards,” he said.

Vasquez said he hoped state leaders would take note of the recent fraud and take action to help people who lose SNAP benefits at no fault of their own. The program covered more than 144,000 Rhode Islanders in 2024.

“Real Rhode Island citizens are going to struggle and suffer for this,” Vasquez said.

Anyone who thinks they may be a victim of EBT fraud can reach out to 1-855-697-4347. To prevent fraud, state officials recommend the following:

Change your PIN frequently and check your account balance regularly.

Don’t share your PIN. (DHS will never ask for your PIN or EBT card number)

If you need help changing your PIN, call ebtEdge at 1-888-979-9939. (When you call, enter your card number at the prompt, listen to your balance, and after that message plays you will be directed to the main menu and receive a prompt for the pin change option. You can also log on to www.ebtedge.com or the ebtEdge mobile app for enhanced EBT Card security options including protecting benefits by freezing cards when they’re not in use. Additional information can also be found at https://dhs.ri.gov.)

Freezing your benefits card provides the highest level of customer protection. The detailed instructions for this process are included in the link above but simply ensures your card cannot be accessed at times when it is not in use. It does require action from the customer both before and after any transaction to lock and unlock your card.

SNAP beneficiaries who believe they may have been targeted by fraud can contact DOA’s Office of Internal Audit, Fraud Detection and Prevention Unit by visiting the Office of Internal Audit website and submitting a Fraud Allegation Form (https://omb.ri.gov/internal-audit/fraud-hotline/fraud-allegation-form). For additional information and to access the appropriate forms to notify DHS visit https://dhs.ri.gov/resources. Local police should be contacted first only in cases where EBT cards are physically stolen.