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Madison County social services reports coordinated thefts of SNAP benefits; agency urging card-locking app use
Summary
Tiffany, a Madison County Department of Social Services staff member, told the board during the meeting that local clients have experienced a wave of fraud in which benefits were posted to their SNAP cards and then “snatched off immediately.”
Tiffany, a Madison County Department of Social Services staff member, told the board during the meeting that local clients have experienced a wave of fraud in which benefits were posted to their SNAP cards and then “snatched off immediately.”
She said staff traced the transactions to out-of-state accounts and that multiple localities are reporting similar incidents. “So as soon as the individuals are getting them, they're getting stolen,” Tiffany said.
Tiffany said the department has made police reports and is providing immediate help by issuing replacement cards and offering food pantry items to affected households. She described the county’s limits for restoring cash, saying the agency “unfortunately, we can't refund those funds.”
County staff are encouraging SNAP recipients to use a card-locking mobile app that can temporarily block transactions; Tiffany said the county has shared information about the app on its Facebook page and is issuing new cards for residents who cannot access the app.
Tiffany also updated the board on other caseloads and programs: cooling-assistance applications remain open through Aug. 15, and the department reported 34 children in foster care, with three in the Fostering Futures program for ages 18 and older.
Board members asked about the investigation and which agency leads it; Hannon, a county attorney, explained that local law enforcement typically investigates and refers broad cases to the Virginia State Police when warranted. “If they see that it's a bigger issue, and they'll report it to the Virginia State Police,” Hannon said.
The board was not presented with an immediate remedy to recoup stolen funds; staff emphasized prevention steps and interagency reporting while assisting victims with food and replacement cards.
The county did not provide a total dollar amount of funds taken or a countywide estimate of affected households; that information was not specified in the meeting record.
