A growing threat is creeping into one of the most relied-on safety nets in the country.

If you use SNAP to stretch your grocery budget, your card and your food may be more vulnerable than you think.

Benefit theft is rising fast, and thousands are waking up to empty balances.

Here's how this quiet crisis is affecting millions—and how to protect what’s yours.

SNAP theft jumps 55%—and it's getting worse​

Between late 2024 and early 2025, fraudulent transactions on SNAP cards surged by over 55%, jumping from 444,553 to 691,604 cases, according to federal data. It’s the steepest rise in fraud ever recorded by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service—and it’s not slowing down.

Since 2023, more than $100 million in benefits has been stolen from Americans who rely on these funds to eat.

Why it matters more than ever​

SNAP helps over 40 million Americans afford groceries every month. When benefits vanish, people don’t just lose money—they lose meals.

A USDA spokesperson said it plainly: “SNAP is a vital nutrition safety net for low-income Americans. When benefits are stolen, SNAP participants' ability to feed their families is threatened. USDA will continue to leverage every resource and authority that remains at its disposal to combat all forms of SNAP fraud and abuse.”

And now that food prices are still stubbornly high, even small losses can mean going without essentials.



Also read: This mom lost her $1,500 SNAP benefits—protect your groceries now!

How they’re stealing your benefits​

SNAP funds are loaded onto electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which work like debit cards—and that means they’re also vulnerable to the same scams.

Common tactics include:

• Skimming: Devices at store checkouts steal your card number and PIN.
• Cloning: Scammers use stolen data to make fake copies of your card.
• Phishing: Texts, emails, or calls trick you into giving away your PIN.

Older adults are especially targeted—fraudsters assume we won’t catch on. Let's prove them wrong.

What the government is doing about it​

In response to the spike, several efforts are underway:

• The USDA launched fraud operations in high-theft regions like California.
• New York passed a bill requiring EMV chips on EBT cards—just like credit cards.
• Pennsylvania now lets users lock their EBT card through an app when not in use.

A Texas Democrat, Representative Al Green, introduced the SNAP Secure Act of 2025 would restore federal reimbursement for stolen benefits.

If your benefits are stolen, report it immediately to your local SNAP office. Every minute counts.

Some states may still reimburse stolen benefits using their own funds, though it’s not guaranteed.



Also read: Protect your benefits! Find out if EBT card fraud is behind your delayed refill!

What's next—and how to stay ahead​

The next federal data release is expected later this year. Until then, there's no telling whether the fraud trend will cool off—or keep climbing.

Lawmakers continue to push for stronger protections. But for now, staying informed is your strongest shield.

Read next: SNAP benefits just expanded in these two states—Find out if you qualify!

Have you or someone you know lost SNAP benefits to scammers? Got tips to help others avoid it? Drop your story in the comments—The GrayVine community is all ears.