The U.S. Secret Service launched a targeted operation in Georgia on Thursday, part of a statewide effort to combat rampant SNAP benefit theft by uncovering and removing illegal skimming devices from business card readers. The ongoing fraud has cost Georgians over $23 million this year alone, impacting vulnerable families reliant on food assistance.

Agents are seeking to reveal these hidden devices but also to educate business owners on warning signs and proactive measures to combat Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) fraud.

The sophisticated skimming devices, which can be covertly placed over legitimate card readers and ATMs, are largely identified as the primary culprits behind EBT fraud. Criminals utilize these skimmers to steal and copy SNAP benefit data, subsequently cloning that information onto new cards and rapidly draining accounts as soon as monthly benefits are loaded.

“EBT cards and accounts are uniquely vulnerable,” explained Deputy Special Agent Robert Donovan, who oversees the Atlanta Secret Service field office. “[Criminals] know monthly there is money in that account so it makes it a very attractive target.”

Georgia has seen a staggering increase in reported SNAP benefit theft, with over $23 million stolen since the beginning of this year. This figure is in addition to the $13 million previously reimbursed to Georgia families prior to the cessation of federal funding for such reimbursements last year.

To help protect themselves, consumers are advised to take several precautions:

  • Inspect Card Readers: Before using ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, or other card readers, inspect them for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched. Do not use a reader if anything appears unusual.
  • Gas Station Transactions: If using a debit card at a gas station, consider running it as a credit card to keep your PIN safe and prevent immediate deduction from your account. If that’s not an option, always cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN, as scammers may use tiny pinhole cameras to record entries.
  • ATM Location: Use ATMs in well-lit, indoor locations, which are generally less vulnerable targets for skimmer placement.
  • Tourist Areas: Be extra alert for skimming devices in popular tourist areas, which are frequent targets.
  • Chip Technology: Utilize debit and credit cards with chip technology whenever possible. In the U.S., fewer devices are capable of stealing chip data compared to magnetic strip data.