MOUNT IDA, Ark. — Karla Martin was shocked after learning her EBT card had 31 cents instead of $300 when trying to buy her groceries on Monday.
“So, I just left my cart up there and tell him I just have to find out what was going on to come back into the shop again later,” Martin said.
Right away, Martin said she started making calls to find out why her money wasn't there. The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) informed her that her card was used in New York.
“A hacker system had come in on their own system, and that this might happen to some of the people with EBT benefits,” Martin said.
DHS said it's aware of these types of instances happening around the country, which include thieves targeting SNAP recipients by skimming card readers.
Martin said she relies on this money to keep her fridge stocked, but now she won't have funds to do that until next month.
“They told me they would not reimburse it," Martin said. "They tell me that it's just lost, and you know, it's not my fault that this happened."
THV11 asked DHS if there was a way for people who had funds stolen if they could get reimbursed and they said it isn't an option.
"There is not a way for DHS to reimburse for SNAP funds that have been stolen," a spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Human Services said.
Martin said they’re giving her a new card.
“With a whole new number and then I’m going to put a whole new password on the back of it, so that the hackers can't can can't use my cord again,” Martin said.
To help prevent this from happening to anyone else, DHS says to keep these three things in mind:
- Keep your pin a secret
- Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges
- Check card reading machines for anything unusual before you swipe