There are new fraud concerns with the $1 billion in cash payments designed to help some of the most vulnerable Georgians. In September, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp provided $1 billion in leftover federal aid from the American Rescue Plan, a bill he opposed. The $350 cash cards were going to Medicaid, SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients.
The cards are being referred to as “Kemp Cards” by many on social media.
There has been confusion from the start about redeeming the cards. Social media channels for the state were flooded with complaints. Now there is a growing concern about fraud.
The Georgia Department of Human Services acknowledges fraudsters have attempted to steal from the program in a statement:
“DHS and its vendors have kept a close watch on potentially fraudulent activity and taken decisive action to protect customers, their information, and their payments. Due to suspicious activity and out of an abundance of caution, a small number of Georgia gateway accounts were temporarily suspended or delinked.”
DHS says phishing schemes are also targeting the $350 cash cards with Georgians receiving dangerous phishing texts and emails from scammers.
According to the latest numbers, $997,620,000 has been sent to 2,850,353 Georgians, with $557,678,100 claimed and $443,570,999 spent.
If you think you have been the victim of fraud 833-907-0683 to file a claim for the potential fraud, or if you did not receive your virtual card via email, you can contact 877-423-4746.
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