The Arkansas Department of Human Services is warning families to be on the lookout for scams after more than 200 households reported stolen Summer EBT benefits.
The program provides qualifying families with $120 per child to help cover food costs while school is out for the summer.
According to DHS officials, thieves have used phone calls, emails, text messages and other methods to gain access to EBT accounts and steal benefits intended for children.
DHS County Operations Director Mary Franklin said the problem may be affecting even more families than the number of reports received so far.
“The criminals that are doing this, the thieves, it’s just despicable behavior,” Franklin said. “It’s impacting families’ abilities to supplement their food budgets for the summer while their kids are out of school.”
Among those affected is Mountain View resident Amanda Kirby, who said one of her children’s benefits was stolen shortly after the funds became available.
“Who takes food from kids? I mean, they’re kids,” Kirby said.
Franklin said federal rules prevent the state from replacing stolen Summer EBT benefits.
“We are angry and sorry that this has happened,” Franklin said. “We are not able to replace those benefits.”
In response, DHS is requiring Summer EBT recipients to reset their PINs and is encouraging families to be cautious of any calls, texts or emails requesting personal information.
“We’re not ever going to ask you for your PIN,” Franklin said.
DHS has launched resources at AR.gov/snapfraud where recipients can report stolen benefits, learn how to change their PIN and find additional information about protecting their accounts.
The agency said it is working with law enforcement and other partners to investigate the fraud and strengthen security measures to prevent future thefts.
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