EBT users are "strongly" recommended to use a new lock and unlock feature on the ConnectEBT app after a number of fraud incidents from May 2023 to December 2024, said a press release from the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).
DHR reportedly reimbursed $15.9 million of SNAP benefits because of fraud. More than 26,000 reimbursements were approved for $10.5 million from October to December 20, 2024.
It is believed that all of the funds were stolen outside of the state, most of them occurring in New York and Pennsylvania.
“The very best thing our SNAP clients can do is lock their card when they aren’t using it,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “With the funds being stolen by utilizing out of state EBT terminals, we believe using our newest feature on ConnectEBT and locking the EBT card will truly combat this type of fraud.”
EBT users have two locking options on the app. The first, “Lock Card” locks all purchases outside of the state but allows online purchases. "Lock Card Everywhere" locks all purchases both offline and online.
DHR "strongly" recommends the second option.
Users can sign up for alerts that notifies of account activity alerts through the app, text, and/or email.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.