Summary
The reported theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the United States rose significantly from the end of 2024 to the start of 2025. The greatest number of theft cases occurred in states like New York, California, and Alabama. Concerns are growing about the security of SNAP cards, which are often vulnerable to fraud tactics.
Key Facts
- Reported SNAP benefit thefts increased by 55% from the last quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025.
- Nearly 2 million SNAP thefts have been reported from 2023 to 2025.
- SNAP benefits are given through EBT cards that work like debit cards.
- The top states for thefts in early 2025 were New York, California, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Ohio.
- Alabama saw a 327% rise in thefts compared to the previous quarter, while Oklahoma had a 564% rise.
- Most EBT cards currently lack theft-prevention tools like microchips, making them prone to fraud.
- The USDA recommends using secure practices, like changing PINs and not sharing card details.
- Some states are working to improve EBT card security by updating cards to meet credit card standards.
