This woman was left with “nothing in the fridge” after a $500,000 scam–Don’t be next.
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In an instant, a vital source of support for struggling families disappeared.
This isn’t a distant issue—it’s a pressing reality for many Americans relying on essential assistance to get by. In one state, a widespread scam has drained critical resources, leaving thousands in a difficult position.
What’s happening? How can you stay one step ahead? Let’s uncover the truth behind this alarming situation and help you protect what’s yours.
Imagine waking up to prepare breakfast for your children, only to discover that your SNAP account balance reads zero.
This nightmare became a reality for Sandra, a Providence mother of two, who found her account drained early one Sunday morning.
“I checked the app, and it says zero balance. I was like, ‘Hold on, that doesn’t sound correct,'” she recounted to WJAR. “Then I checked my transactions. They took all my food stamps at 7:26 in the morning. I was asleep when it happened.”
More than $1,100 was wiped from her account, with the deposit made at 2:30 a.m. vanishing just hours later.
Her story echoes the experiences of many others, including Naomi, a single mother and full-time nursing student, who was left with “nothing in my fridge” after her benefits vanished.
"I checked my transactions, and I had three transactions done at the same exact time," she shared with the outlet. "It must be computerized because there’s no way you can swipe three times at once."
In Rhode Island, this devastating card scam has siphoned away an estimated $500,000 in SNAP benefits, leaving over 1,800 families grappling with empty refrigerators and a sense of betrayal.
SNAP benefits are a crucial support system for over 41 million Americans, providing a monthly allowance on a debit card to purchase groceries.
These funds help low-income households buy essential food items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, bread, cereals, and snacks. However, they cannot be used for non-food items like alcohol, cigarettes, hot foods, or cooking utensils.
State officials linked the rise in fraud to skimming devices—illegal attachments on payment terminals, ATMs, or fuel pumps that capture card information.
The Rhode Island Department of Human Services has identified a significant portion of the theft occurring at a single, undisclosed location.
In this state, nearly 100,000 residents depend on SNAP benefits to provide for their families, and many have been hit hard by the recent theft.
You might be interested: How a disabled woman lost her last $400 to an expiry scam—protect your money now!
Sandra, a mother of two in Providence, was stunned to discover her account empty on Sunday morning.
“I’ve had my card since 2010. Never had an issue. But my family was one of the households affected by the breach,” she said. “Now, all of a sudden, my food stamps are gone.”
Source: CBS Philadelphia / Youtube.
A federal program that replaced stolen EBT benefits ended at the start of 2025, and while states have the option to use their own funds to reimburse victims of SNAP theft, Rhode Island lawmakers have yet to allocate money for these losses.
As a result, many residents are struggling without a way to recover their stolen benefits or provide food for their families.
Also read: Protect your benefits! Find out if EBT card fraud is behind your delayed refill!
Have you or someone you know been affected by SNAP fraud? Do you have additional tips for safeguarding benefits? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
This isn’t a distant issue—it’s a pressing reality for many Americans relying on essential assistance to get by. In one state, a widespread scam has drained critical resources, leaving thousands in a difficult position.
What’s happening? How can you stay one step ahead? Let’s uncover the truth behind this alarming situation and help you protect what’s yours.
Imagine waking up to prepare breakfast for your children, only to discover that your SNAP account balance reads zero.
This nightmare became a reality for Sandra, a Providence mother of two, who found her account drained early one Sunday morning.
“I checked the app, and it says zero balance. I was like, ‘Hold on, that doesn’t sound correct,'” she recounted to WJAR. “Then I checked my transactions. They took all my food stamps at 7:26 in the morning. I was asleep when it happened.”
More than $1,100 was wiped from her account, with the deposit made at 2:30 a.m. vanishing just hours later.
A single mother in Rhode Island discovered her SNAP benefits had been stolen when she checked her account to reveal a zero balance. Image source: THE SHADE ROOM / Youtube.
Her story echoes the experiences of many others, including Naomi, a single mother and full-time nursing student, who was left with “nothing in my fridge” after her benefits vanished.
"I checked my transactions, and I had three transactions done at the same exact time," she shared with the outlet. "It must be computerized because there’s no way you can swipe three times at once."
In Rhode Island, this devastating card scam has siphoned away an estimated $500,000 in SNAP benefits, leaving over 1,800 families grappling with empty refrigerators and a sense of betrayal.
SNAP benefits are a crucial support system for over 41 million Americans, providing a monthly allowance on a debit card to purchase groceries.
These funds help low-income households buy essential food items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, bread, cereals, and snacks. However, they cannot be used for non-food items like alcohol, cigarettes, hot foods, or cooking utensils.
State officials linked the rise in fraud to skimming devices—illegal attachments on payment terminals, ATMs, or fuel pumps that capture card information.
The Rhode Island Department of Human Services has identified a significant portion of the theft occurring at a single, undisclosed location.
In this state, nearly 100,000 residents depend on SNAP benefits to provide for their families, and many have been hit hard by the recent theft.
You might be interested: How a disabled woman lost her last $400 to an expiry scam—protect your money now!
Sandra, a mother of two in Providence, was stunned to discover her account empty on Sunday morning.
“I’ve had my card since 2010. Never had an issue. But my family was one of the households affected by the breach,” she said. “Now, all of a sudden, my food stamps are gone.”
Source: CBS Philadelphia / Youtube.
A federal program that replaced stolen EBT benefits ended at the start of 2025, and while states have the option to use their own funds to reimburse victims of SNAP theft, Rhode Island lawmakers have yet to allocate money for these losses.
As a result, many residents are struggling without a way to recover their stolen benefits or provide food for their families.
Also read: Protect your benefits! Find out if EBT card fraud is behind your delayed refill!
Have you or someone you know been affected by SNAP fraud? Do you have additional tips for safeguarding benefits? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
