Woman interviewed about SNAP benefit theft.
Share this @internewscast.com

THOUSANDS in SNAP benefits were yanked from recipients after devices claimed months of food stamps.

Justice is almost here for hundreds of Ohio residents after three people were indicted on allegations of using credit card killers.

Woman interviewed about SNAP benefit theft.
Ohio residents say they’ve had thousands of SNAP benefits stolen from them in an elaborate schemeCredit: NBC4
Safeway self-checkout keypad with a duplicate keypad.
Three suspects were indicted in the fraud and allegedly used skimmers to steal card informationCredit: NBC4 Washington

The suspects allegedly stole more than $600,000 from SNAP recipients, and there may be more victims in other states.

“It was embarrassing, disappointing, I did not understand what was going on at first,” SNAP recipient Shadawna Collier told NBC affiliate WCMH-TV.

Lakisa Dukes, a social worker, discovered the fraudulent activity around a year ago and reached out to the Ohio Investigative Unit to examine the use of card skimmers.

“I love it,” Dukes told the outlet.

“I love it because I felt like so many people had been affected by this and no one was listening.”

Dukes said she heard from several clients who were victims of the fraud.

“This is literally families who, that is all they have for food,” she said.

In 2024, nearly 27,000 people reported that their SNAP benefits were gone, totaling $14 million in taxpayer money, reported WCMH-TV.

Collier called the suspects’ arrests “relieving.”

“I know a lot of people rely on the food stamps,” she said.

Debit card warning after $500 vanishes from woman’s bank account within minutes – why credit is safer at checkout

“The suspects involved in this scheme target some of the nation’s most financially vulnerable individuals by exploiting SNAP benefits from multiple locations,” stated Sam Love, Agent in Charge of the Ohio Investigative Unit.

Investigators were able to track the suspects across the US.

Dozens of fraudulent cards filled with stolen funds were found, said Love.

“They’re very transient, they travel all over,” he added.

What is a skimmer device?

A skimmer device is a fraud tool designed to steal sensitive information from credit or debit cards during transactions.

  • Imagine a skimmer device as a sneaky thief that hides on ATMs or card machines.
  • Its job is to secretly steal your credit or debit card information when you use it for a transaction.
  • These devices are like tiny spies that can copy your card details, including the card number and PIN, without you even realizing it.
  • Skimmers can be cleverly disguised to look just like the regular card reader, making them hard to spot.
  • Once they have your information, bad guys can use it to make fake cards or buy things without your permission, causing a lot of trouble and stress.
  • It’s important to always be cautious and check for anything unusual on card machines before using them to protect yourself from these sneaky devices.

“They went all over the country.”

A press release from the OIU detailed that a search warrant executed on the suspects’ vehicle uncovered over $62,600 in cash, numerous gold coins, assorted gold jewelry, four mobile phones, suspected duplicated credit cards, and related records.

During the arrest, investigators allegedly found machines used to copy stolen card information and skimmers.

“The ones they are putting on now are pretty small,” said Love.

“They can slip right onto the terminal, and it takes a good bit of effort for us to pull them off.”

Ohio isn’t alone in these thefts, as most states use SNAP cards that swipe, making them easy targets.

Adding a chip feature to the cards could stop about 85% of thefts, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

“We know there’s more going on,” said Love.

“So the work continues, but it’s just, you know, on to the next case.”

A hand inserting a credit card reader testing device into a payment terminal.
Over half a million was stolen in Ohio alone, with the scheme taking place in other statesCredit: AP
Image of a credit card reader; one example shows a suspicious device with an added skimmer, the other shows a safe device.
Skimmers can be hard to detect with the naked eyeCredit: Montville Police Department
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
CPS layoffs news: Chicago Public Schools eliminating jobs, including crossing guards to close projected $734M budget shortfall

Chicago Public Schools Job Cuts: Positions, Including Crossing Guards, Reduced to Address $734 Million Budget Deficit

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Public Schools faces a huge deficit that must…
Kansas City Chiefs fans’ deaths: Prosecutors seek tougher charges

Prosecutors Demand More Severe Charges in Deaths of Kansas City Chiefs Supporters

Prosecutors in Missouri are seeking to upgrade charges for two people arrested…
Trump will visit a remote immigration detention site in the Florida Everglades, informally known as Alligator Alcatraz

Trump Plans Visit to Florida’s Remote Immigration Center, Nicknamed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in the Everglades

President Donald Trump is set to visit Florida’s Everglades on Tuesday for…
Massachusetts man accused of stabbing mom's boyfriend 17 times, dousing him in lighter fluid in deadly fight over steaks

Massachusetts Man Allegedly Stabs Mother’s Boyfriend 17 Times, Covers Him in Lighter Fluid During Fatal Dispute Over Steaks

A man from Massachusetts is facing charges after allegedly stabbing his mother’s…
Cause of death revealed for hiker influencer found dead in Arizona desert

Autopsy Report: How the Influencer Hiker Lost Her Life in the Arizona Desert

The cause of death has been revealed for a social media influencer…

Royal Passes Away at 63 Just Days Before Birth of First Child: Wife Shares Heartfelt Tribute

A PRINCE has tragically died just days before the birth of his…
People fleeing in panic.

Dramatic Scene: Russians Flee Fireballs During Ukrainian Kamikaze Drone Attack on Putin’s ‘Gun City’

THIS is the dramatic moment Russians sprinted in terror as Ukrainian kamikaze…
Trump will visit a remote immigration detention site in the Florida Everglades

Trump to Tour a Remote Immigration Center in the Florida Everglades

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Tuesday, President Donald Trump is taking a brief…
Texas man admits to killing missing American Airlines flight attendant: Docs

Texas Man Confesses to Killing Missing American Airlines Flight Attendant: Investigators Report

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas (KFDX/KJTL) — Authorities in Fort Worth have reported that…
FHP: Man killed in crash on Buckman Bridge, southbound traffic closed

Florida Highway Patrol: Fatal accident on Buckman Bridge causes closure of southbound lanes

The Florida Highway Patrol stated that the cause remains under investigation, but…
'Big, beautiful bill' funding failure puts US at risk from bad actors, expert warns

Expert Warns US Faces Increased Risks as Funding Bill Fails

As lawmakers advance the comprehensive One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the leader…
Trump's tax and spending bill nears passage as JD Vance arrives at Senate

Trump’s Tax and Spending Bill Approaches Approval with JD Vance Joining the Senate

Another day, another fight for Republicans trying to pass Trump’s tax bill…