Ali Solehdin – Digitaltransactions.net – August 11, 2023 Instances of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) fraud have become more prevalent in the United States as criminals become more brazen and increasingly prey on society’s most vulnerable.

Once upon a time, there was a small business owner named Alice, who fought to keep her retail establishment afloat amid the stormy seas of a global pandemic. Like many other merchants, she embraced the digital revolution and moved her store online. This allowed her to reach more customers and keep her business buoyant. Her store, Alice’s Wonderland, offered a vibrant range of local handicrafts that started garnering attention on social media. It was a tale of small business success.

Ali Solehdin – The Banking Exchange In 2022 alone, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) distributed over $113.9 billion to nearly 22 million households across the United States. This figure represents an increase of over $5 billion from the year prior and nearly a $40 billion increase from 2020. Unfortunately, as the SNAP allocation has increased, criminals — from individuals to organized crime rings — have stolen an increasing share of these benefits.

It’s the third day of your long-awaited vacation. While relaxing at the beach, you hear a not particularly welcome chime on your phone (because who takes a vacation from their phone), indicating a new email notification. Your bank notifies you that a significant transaction has been made on your account― a purchase you immediately realize you didn’t authorize. Your heart pounds as you log into your banking app only to find your account empty.