With 'skimming' on the rise, senator urges USDA to require updated technology for SNAP cards

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: NBC News

Sen. Ron Wyden on Thursday demanded tighter federal security requirements for the benefits cards that low-income families use to buy food as more households become victims of electronic theft.

Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, receive funds for groceries on electronic benefit transfer cards. In recent months, thieves using hidden “skimming” devices have targeted an alarming number of SNAP participants.

While skimming is not unique to EBT cards, security measures such as embedded microchips and contactless payments have combated it in the consumer credit card and debit card industry. No state SNAP agency issues EBT cards with chips, only cards with magnetic stripes, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.

“Criminals have been using a security weakness in benefit cards to literally steal food from families in need,” Wyden, D-Ore., said in an interview. “This is a textbook case of government failure to help people who need it most.”

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/with-skimming-on-the-rise-senator-urges-usda-to-require-updated-technology-for-snap-cards/ar-AA18HQAO

[Cheezoholic]

1. Those cards are outsourced to 3rd parties making a profit on them

at least in this state. Make them fix it. I mean they charge you .50 to call and get your balance. They're taking more of the money than skimmers, guaranteed.

[DENVERPOPS]

2. Our U.S. passports

are outsourced to a third party, in a foreign Government, if you can believe that..............

[maxsolomon]

3. If Congress needs to appropriate funds to make this update

then forget about it.

[Stargazer99]

4. Congressional reeps do not have to worry about hunger-there is no motivation to

stop the harm and pain to others with no power-that would take decency but money and power are the only thing of value to well fed congress not protecting people from hunger

[maxsolomon]

5. GQP reps.

Dems would vote to modernize the cards.