Brooklyn DA cracks down on EBT fraud, launches prevention seminars
The DA’s office says scammers have installed dozens of skimming devices in local grocery stores and ATMs, allowing them to steal tens of millions of dollars in food assistance.
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EBT fraud is rampant in Brooklyn, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, draining benefits from seniors and low-income residents who rely on them to put food on the table.
The DA’s office says scammers have installed dozens of skimming devices in local grocery stores and ATMs, allowing them to steal tens of millions of dollars in food assistance.
“These are organized networks of thieves and fraudsters targeting the most vulnerable, the poorest in our community,” DA Gonzalez said.
In response, the DA’s office has started hosting fraud prevention seminars across the borough. And appointed a special assistant DA as a liaison with federal and state agencies to tackle the issue.
At the events, residents learn to spot skimming devices, and safety tips like locking their cards when not in use, and changing their PINs regularly.
Some City council members are pushing to provide reimbursement for EBT fraud victims, after Congress stopped the reimbursement program late last year.
Officials are also calling for EBT cards to be updated with modern chip technology to make them harder to hack.
The DA urges anyone who believes they’ve been a victim of EBT fraud to come forward as soon as possible.
