COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio SNAP recipients are being cautioned due to “an uptick in suspicious activity, particularly in Cuyahoga County” during the holiday season.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder said criminals prey on people who rely on this program.

“SNAP recipients should be vigilant in protecting their benefits by looking for signs of skimming, protecting their EBT card number and PIN, and using tools such as the ConnectEBT app and its ‘Lock Everywhere’ feature to avoid becoming victims,” he said.

The skimming he mentions is when those seeking to steal card information place a device on the card reader that steals the info as the card is used.

The ODJFS says you shouldn’t use the card reader if there’s anything unusual about it (and tell store staff) and “pull at the edges of the keypad” before using your card.

If you suffer a theft from your SNAP account, the release states you can apply for replacement thanks to a federal program. Contact your County Department of Job and Family Services if you need this reimbursement.

The ODJFS also offers the following tips to avoid becoming a victim:

• “Manage your benefits by downloading the secure ConnectEBT app on your mobile phone or tablet. Through the App’s card lock features, users can enable a feature that requires the user to unlock their EBT prior to making any purchases, including in-state
• Create a PIN for your card that is unique and difficult to guess
• Change your PIN monthly, before each scheduled deposit
• Never share your card number or PIN. ODJFS will never ask for these numbers
• Carefully examine point-of-sale card readers before using them to check for skimming devices
• When using your card, cover the keypad with your body or hand to stop others from seeing your PIN”

The ODJFS says more than 25,000 Buckeyes received $12.6 million worth of reimbursements between Oct. 1, 2022 and Dec. 1, 2024.