A friend's SNAP benefits were stolen

[markpkessinger]

A friend of mine receives SNAP food assistance. A few months back, he noticed fraudulent transactions on his account. He reported it to the HRA (which administers SNAP benefits in NYC), and they replaced his card as well as his lost benefits.

Well, it has happened again. And again, he reported it to the HRA, and while they will issue him a new card, they told him they are no longer replacing lost benefits. And even worse: their records show a withdrawal made from his account at a Wells Fargo branch, but they won't tell him which one.

I have to wonder if this all stems from Musk's/DOGE's fucking around. I mean, so far as you know, you can't make cash withdrawals from your SNAP benefits. So something fishy seems to be going on!

[Kid Berwyn]

1. Once DOGE gets one's checking account number...

...most anything's accessible after that.

Thank you for the heads-up!

[markpkessinger]

3. But SNAP benefits don't go into a person's checking account . . .

. . . Rather, recipients are issued a card, which they can use for qualifying purchases up to whatever amount is provided for a given month.

[Kid Berwyn]

4. Thanks, again!

I'll remember that. And here I was worried the motherfuckers will raid my 401(k).

[berniesandersmittens]

6. They have the checking acct numbers of those on social security

Or at least those with direct deposit. Nothing is safe anymore.

[markodochartaigh]

7. "Nothing is safe anymore." Yeah,

the last train to Normal left the station last November 5th. Unfortunately most people are still sitting in the station twiddling their thumbs and waiting for the next one.

[markodochartaigh]

2. Hopefully Wells Fargo will be helpful to your friend.

Who knows if this is related to the current regime's corruption, carelessness, stupidity, and malfeasance but surely all of us should be checking each of our accounts at least monthly no matter if we are homeless or a millionaire.

[berniesandersmittens]

5. Mine was stolen this month in AR

They aren't replacing the funds. Get this, the local DHS office wasn't even making an official list of those who were stolen from. Just said it was someone in New Jersey.

Have to get a new card. Mine was only 23.00 but I can't imagine a family with children not having their benefits.

I have never used my card online, only use it at a local grocery store. Can't think of any way a scammer could have gotten my info.