Card fraud continues to rise in 2025 while the state offers no reimbursements
The theft of SNAP benefits has left thousands of families in Illinois without access to food, with fraud exceeding $21 million since 2022. A new report sent to the state legislature reveals that the problem not only persists in 2025, but that affected individuals no longer receive reimbursements for stolen money.
Cases like that of a Chicago woman who had $1,039 stolen in just 43 minutes or a man who lost $698 in a single minute across three out-of-state businesses highlight the scale of the fraud. Both filed complaints with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), but have not recovered their money.
«My family and I can’t buy food this month,» wrote one victim, showcasing the crisis thousands of people are facing.
Rising Fraud with No Immediate Solutions
From October 2022 to December 2024, nearly 124,000 fraudulent transactions were recorded, affecting more than 38,000 households. In 2024 alone, scammers stole $12.5 million, representing 57% of the total stolen in the past two years.
The skimming technique, which allows fraudsters to clone EBT cards using hidden devices at payment terminals, is the main cause of the fraud. «We’re seeing a significant increase in card theft across the country,» warned Haywood Talcove, CEO of Government Business at LexisNexis Risk Solutions.
Nationally, SNAP fraud losses exceed $220 million, but Congress has yet to pass a law reimbursing victims.
Why Are EBT Cards So Vulnerable?
More than one million households in Illinois use EBT cards, known as Illinois Link, to access their SNAP benefits. However, unlike modern debit and credit cards, they lack security chips, making them more susceptible to cloning.
«What I don’t understand is why, when the world switched to chip cards over a decade ago, the SNAP program didn’t do the same,» questioned Talcove.
Some states have started implementing chip-enabled EBT cards, such as California and Oklahoma. Illinois, on the other hand, has opted for a pilot program with mobile payments, allowing beneficiaries to store their card on their phone and pay with a single tap.
How to Protect Yourself from EBT Card Fraud
While the government seeks solutions, beneficiaries can take steps to reduce their risk of fraud:
- Check your balance frequently: Regularly review your SNAP account for suspicious transactions.
- Avoid suspicious ATMs and terminals: Only use ATMs and point-of-sale terminals in trusted grocery stores. If the card reader looks modified or protrudes, avoid using it.
- Cover the keypad when entering your PIN: This makes it harder for scammers to obtain card information.
- Change your PIN frequently: While it won’t prevent skimming, it can make stolen data less useful to scammers.
- Report unauthorized transactions immediately: Contact IDHS or the Link card service number as soon as you detect a suspicious purchase.
Will There Be Changes in 2025?
As new security measures are implemented, the Secret Service has intensified its search for cloning devices. In October 2024, they inspected hundreds of payment terminals in Chicago businesses, finding six skimmers in Cook County alone. In 2025, dozens of these devices have been found nationwide, from Las Vegas to Washington, D.C.
However, without approved federal reimbursement, thousands of families will continue to go without their stolen money. Representative Jan Schakowsky has promised to keep fighting for affected individuals to receive compensation, but so far, Congress has shown no signs of progress on the legislation.
With fraud on the rise and no immediate solutions, thousands of Illinois families face an uncertain future in their fight to access their only source of food.