An investigation is underway after several residents on state assistance said their funds have been stolen, BreakingAC has learned.
Several residents came forward saying the balance on their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards quickly dwindled to nothing shortly after the money posted at the beginning of the month.
EBT cards are used by residents who receive state assistance through either SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or Work First New Jersey.
An Atlantic City resident was shocked after spending $22 of her SNAP funds at the 7-Eleven last Friday.
When she checked her balance, nothing was left.
Four charges were made to a grocery store in Philadelphia for $180 each.
“They took every penny,” the woman told BreakingAC.
One resident shared a printout that showed balance inquiries made at an ATM in Philadelphia before the funds posted. Then, almost as soon as the money went on the card, it came off.
There is a task force in place handling the claims, after they are received from the local office, authorities told BreakingAC.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, who checked into the issue, said it is not the appropriate authority to investigate as the funds are being sent out of state.
“This appears to be a large-scale financial crime and does not seem to involve any public employees,” a Department of Welfare investigator told the Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone whose funds were stolen needs to make a complaint in-person at the county building where they received their cards. They should come between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and ask to speak to a welfare investigator.
They can call 609-348-3001 and ask to speak to an investigator for more information.
Meanwhile, many who reached out to BreakingAC say they now have no funds for the month.
The issue is exacerbated by a change in the federal budget that makes any funds stolen on or after Dec. 21 ineligible for replacement, according to the state Department of Human Services, which oversees the programs.
Atlantic County can assist with “directing recipients to other programs for which they may be eligible or in seeking assistance from additional resources,” such as the Community Food Bank, county spokeswoman Linda Gilmore told BreakingAC.
She said that the fraud unit is gathering information from customers who report stolen benefits to refer that information to the state.
The state Department of Human Services suggests that anyone whose benefits were stolen immediately change their PIN or replace the Families First card. The card also can be locked through the app to keep it from being used.
DHS warns that benefits can be stolen in the following ways:
CLICK HERE for more information on how to protect the cards.
