‘They took everything’: Local citizens fall victim to EBT scams

MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – Some of the state’s most vulnerable population is falling victim to scam calls claiming to be the Alabama EBT customer service line.

“I called to check my balance because I knew I should have like $300 and it said $8,” an EBT scam victim Rhonda Posey said. “They took everything.”

Posey’s son has been grocery shopping for her while she completes radiation for skin cancer. He has been using her EBT card with her SNAP program benefits on it. Posey then received a call saying that her card had been locked.

“I automatically went to my son putting in the wrong pin,” Posey said.

Without thinking twice, she provided her information to the voice on the line in hopes to unlock her card. Not once did it occur that they would be draining her entire balance, instead.

Sadly, Posey is not alone. The government has spent over $30 million in reimbursing these benefits so far this year . That same data shows Alabama is among the top states dealing with the most EBT scams.

“It was full of people, when I came down here Monday,” Posey said. “I told the security guard ‘I feel like such a moron, I’m so embarrassed.’ And he said ‘ma’am look around you. This is what everybody is here for.'”

In a statement to News 19, the DHR said:

“Any time a SNAP recipient is worried their benefits or information may have been compromised, they should contact their local county DHR office immediately to report it.  After notifying DHR, an affidavit of stolen benefits must be completed to start the verification process.”

Russell Sellers, Alabama Department of Human Resources

The DHR did not specify on what those next steps would look like or when people could expect to be reimbursed. This leaves many families worrying about when and how they will feed their loved ones.

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