Indiana Urged to Enhance Card Technology Following Food Assistance Scam

A man in Indiana who lost hundreds of dollars due to a card skimming scam involving his Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is urging the state government to enhance card technology to prevent similar frauds.

Nicholas Turner, whose EBT card was compromised at a grocery store, said he lost $399.87, more than 50% of his monthly benefit. He now has to skip meals just so his kids can eat.

"I'm skipping meals just so my kids can eat," Turner said.

Turner reached out to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, which distributes SNAP benefits, but was told that reimbursements were not possible due to a continuing resolution passed by federal lawmakers in December. He then shifted his focus to preventing similar frauds from happening to others by pushing for updated card technology.

He sent emails to lawmakers, including Governor and Lieutenant Governor, but received automated responses from all except one representative, Republican state Rep. Brad Barrett, who promised to "Pass along your thoughts/situation to Representative Barrett to explore/keep in mind for next session, if there is any possibility to refine this program through legislation and therefore preventing fraud in this space."

"We're using '90s tech to protect 2025 families. I'm not asking Indiana to be perfect. I'm asking them to stop being last," Turner said.

The Indiana FSSA acknowledged that California has updated its technology and is watching the implementation closely, evaluating the potential implementation of chip cards in Indiana.

Until then, Turner must remain vigilant when using his EBT card at grocery stores. "Swipe and pray and then immediately change the PIN (personal identification number) after that," he said.