# Card skimming drains millions from SNAP recipients

> Criminals use hidden devices to steal from people using food assistance benefits, costing recipients millions of dollars.
- Title: Card skimming drains millions from SNAP recipients · NPR
- Summary: Criminals use hidden devices to steal from people using food assistance benefits, costing recipients millions of dollars. Card skimming at payment terminals…
- Keywords: snap fraud, card skimming, ebt cards, food assistance, identity theft, news, Card, skimming, drains, millions, SNAP, recipients
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/10/14/nx-s1-5985198/snap-fraud-ebt-card-skimming-chip-cards
- Published: 2026-10-14T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: snap fraud, card skimming, ebt cards, food assistance, identity theft, news
## Skimming steals from the poorest
Card skimming is a major source of SNAP fraud that robs recipients of millions of dollars. Criminals use hidden devices to steal from people using food assistance benefits.

> 'They're stealing from the poor'
## How the theft works
Skimmers are hidden devices placed on payment terminals that capture card information when recipients use their EBT cards to buy groceries and other necessities.
## The scale of the problem
The fraud costs SNAP recipients millions of dollars annually, targeting some of the most vulnerable people who depend on government assistance to feed their families.
## Key takeaway

Card skimming at payment terminals is a major source of SNAP fraud that robs low-income recipients of millions of dollars.