08/01/2025
SNAP Benefit Theft on the Rise: Arkansas and Oklahoma Families Left Without Food
August 1, 2025
Families across Arkansas and Oklahoma are facing a new crisis: theft of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Criminals are using sophisticated card skimming and cloning techniques to drain Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts, often just hours after benefits are deposited.
In both states, hundreds—if not thousands—of residents have reported waking up to find their EBT accounts emptied. For families living paycheck to paycheck, it’s more than an inconvenience—it’s a threat to their ability to feed their children.
"The Money Was Just Gone"
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, one family reported losing over $1,300 in SNAP benefits, just hours after the funds were issued. “We went to buy groceries and were told the card was declined,” the mother said. “We checked the balance and it said zero. The money was just gone.”
State officials say these cases are becoming alarmingly common. Criminals are placing hidden skimming devices on card readers at grocery stores and ATMs to capture card numbers and PINs. That data is then used to create duplicate cards, often used out-of-state within hours.
Many victims noticed unauthorized transactions in cities they’ve never visited—New York, Philadelphia, and even as far as Florida.
Arkansas Response: A Growing Problem, Limited Solutions
The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) has acknowledged the surge in benefit theft but says it is limited in what it can do. Federal law previously allowed states to replace stolen SNAP benefits, but that authority expired in December 2024.
“We understand the hardship this creates for families, especially those who rely on SNAP to survive,” a DHS spokesperson said. “But unless Congress reauthorizes benefit replacement funding, there is little we can do once the funds are stolen.”
DHS has launched a fraud reporting system at ar.gov/snapfraud and is urging recipients to take proactive steps—such as changing their PINs monthly, inspecting card readers for skimmers, and monitoring their balances frequently.
Oklahoma: 5,000+ Victims and Rising
Oklahoma is facing a similar crisis. According to Oklahoma Human Services, more than 5,000 families have had their EBT benefits stolen since 2024.
One Oklahoma mother recounted losing nearly $700 in a single day. “I had planned to buy a month’s worth of groceries for my kids. Then I checked my balance and it was gone. I called the helpline, and they said the funds were used in New York.”
Like Arkansas, Oklahoma previously issued reimbursements under federal guidelines—but that window has closed.
“We were allowed to replace stolen benefits until December 20, 2024,” said a state official. “Now, unless new legislation passes, we cannot reimburse stolen funds, no matter how legitimate the claim.”
How Thieves Are Stealing EBT Benefits
EBT theft typically occurs through:
Card Skimming: Hidden devices on point-of-sale terminals record card numbers and PINs.
Phishing Scams: Fake texts or emails trick recipients into sharing card information.
Card Cloning: Data is copied to a blank card and used to make unauthorized purchases—often in distant states to avoid detection.
These crimes are hard to detect and even harder to prevent without the right precautions.
Protecting Yourself
SNAP recipients in Arkansas and Oklahoma are being urged to follow these safety tips:
Change your PIN every month—ideally just before benefits are issued.
Inspect card readers for loose or tampered parts before inserting your card.
Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
Monitor your balance regularly using official EBT apps (like ConnectEBT or ebtEDGE).
Never share your EBT card number or PIN with anyone—even if the request appears to come from a government agency.
Victims should report theft immediately to their state’s EBT customer service hotline.
What’s Next?
With federal reimbursement authority expired, victims are left hoping for renewed legislative action. In the meantime, DHS agencies in both states are focused on education and prevention, but acknowledge that more must be done to protect vulnerable families.
As food prices continue to climb, the loss of SNAP benefits due to theft is not just a technical glitch—it’s a lifeline being cut off.
For more information or to report SNAP fraud in Arkansas or Oklahoma:
Arkansas Fraud Reporting: ar.gov/snapfraud | EBT Hotline: 1‑800‑997‑9999
Oklahoma DHS: oklahoma.gov/okdhs
