LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Many people say their SNAP benefit cards have been compromised in an EBT card skimming scam.
Last week, 28/22 News told you about an EBT card skimming scam impacting people in NEPA. Many people were left without their SNAP benefits they need to buy food for the month for their families.
Wednesday, more people say their cards were compromised.
The state says they are aware of the issue, but a change in the law makes it impossible for people to get stolen benefits refunded.
Tika Pearson says her daughter woke up to upsetting news: her SNAP benefits were drained from her EBT account.
"She's just like what are we gonna do for the month she goes you know all of our money goes to paying our bills and what we use to eat for the whole month," said Pearson.
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This leaves her daughter's family in a desperate situation.
Another woman from Luzerne Borough says she's in a similar spot. Her card was also compromised.
"I had to make a choice either to pay my rent or buy food at this point I have to pay my rent and we'll have to utilize what we could utilize," said Bethany Simpson, Luzerne.
28/22 News reached out to the Department of Human Services which oversees SNAP EBT programs. They say they have already implemented enhanced EBT card pin security to help.
However, due to the end of congressional authorization, people who have had their benefits stolen can no longer get them back. This means people impacted won't see their funds restored until next month.
28/22 News stopped by the CEO Weinberg Foodbank; an organization that helps fight food insecurity across NEPA. They tell us they have been receiving calls about the problem, and they are ready to help. They say anyone impacted should start by calling their office at 570-826-0510.
"From there we will do an intake referral on the family and we will then connect them with a food pantry that we're utilizing as an emergency food pantry in the area," said Mary Ellen Spellman, Northeast Regional Food Bank Director, CEO Weinberg Foodbank.
If you or someone you know has been impacted, you can call the EBT replacement card number at 888-328-7366. For immediate food needs, Pennsylvanians can call 211.
