Pueblo County commissioners received an update Tuesday on the status of benefit thefts affecting Pueblo County Department of Human Services customers.
Pueblo County DHS Director Tammy Torres shared details of the theft that started in June with a well-coordinated hacking attack and continued in July as more DHS funds meant for those in need were stolen.
"This is not a new occurrence in the state of Colorado, but it is a new occurrence in our county," Torres said.
All totaled as of July 12, there have been 493 victims in Pueblo County reporting a loss of $309,789 in benefits. Thieves have targeted county residents who receive Adult Financial benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program funds.
The nutritional assistance customers were hardest hit with the theft totaling $125,771 in June. The total loss equates to 1.59% of the total benefits as the county awarded more than $7.87 million in benefits to SNAP customers in June.
"It was 311 people (in June) who experienced it and it absolutely affected them," Torres told the board.
She said the local DHS office asks victims to fill out and sign an affidavit reporting the theft at the human services office at 320 W. 10th St. When they can do so without state approval, staff then work diligently to restore benefits within seven days to speed up the process of returning the money to those in need.
Torres said the state will have to work to "make sure there is a plan in place come Sept. 30 if there is not a fix to the criminals' ability to steal the benefits," because that is when local DHS staff will no longer be able to reissue benefits to families on their own.
She also warned customers who are about to receive Summer Electronic Benefit Transfers in July and August that they will not be eligible to have those funds replaced.
Tips to prevent fraud
Customers are encouraged to download the ebtEDGE application or MyCOBenefits application on their smartphones. Those apps are the only ones approved by the state, Torres said.
One safety feature that allows customers to add a layer of protection is the “freeze card function,” which allows a customer to lock the card when it is not in use and prevents anyone else from using it either.
Torres advised recipients to lock their cards on the last day of the month or the night before the benefits are due to be issued so the funds cannot be withdrawn in the early morning hours while they are asleep.
There is also a “protect my account” tab that allows the customer to block both internet and out-of-state transactions. Many of the thefts have occurred in the metro Denver area, Chicago, and even East Coast states, Torres said.
"You also can change your PIN often and be sure to cover the keypad when you enter your PIN," she said.
Torres noted that Jefferson County is the only other county in Colorado that currently is experiencing as much theft as Pueblo County.
More on benefit theft:'They took everything': Thieves steal benefits meant for Pueblo County residents in need
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support l
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