$76,000 in SNAP Benefits Stolen from Maine EBT Cardholders, Officials Says

A recent security breach has rocked Maine’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) confirmed that approximately $76,000 in SNAP funds were fraudulently taken from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders in the state.

So far, around 300 households have been affected, and that number is expected to grow as the investigation continues.

How the Theft Occurred

According to the DHHS Office for Family Independence, this mass theft was carried out using fraudulent point-of-sale devices located in states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California. These devices, though not physically located in Maine, were used to steal card numbers and PINs from unsuspecting recipients — a method commonly referred to as “cloning”.

Ian Yaffe, the Office Director, explained that this wasn’t a case of localized skimming, but rather a coordinated attack on a much larger scale. While similar attacks have occurred in other states, this is the first time such a widespread breach has hit Maine’s benefit system.

Impact on Maine Households

This breach couldn’t have come at a worse time. Most of the affected families had just received their August SNAP deposits, leaving them with no food assistance until September. The federal rules currently in place do not allow replacement of stolen SNAP benefits, which has left many families in distress.

In July 2025 alone, Maine issued $29 million in SNAP benefits to about 173,000 residents — demonstrating just how vital the program is for the state’s low-income population.

Alex Carter, policy advocate at Maine Equal Justice, expressed concern:

“We’re alarmed that this growing national fraud trend has finally reached Maine on such a scale.”

Why Reimbursement Isn’t Possible

Previously, there were policies in place to reimburse SNAP theft victims, but those were repealed following the passage of the American Relief Act.

This legislation removed safety nets for victims of benefit fraud. Carter is now urging Congress to revisit this issue and reinstate support mechanisms to protect low-income families.

DHHS and USDA’s Response

In response to the breach, Maine’s DHHS Office for Family Independence promptly contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to:

• Block known fraudulent terminals
• Launch a nationwide investigation
• Work with Maine’s EBT vendor, Fidelity Information Services (FIS), to track fraudulent activity

They are also reaching out directly to affected families and issuing new EBT cards.

How EBT Users Can Protect Their Benefits

To prevent further theft, Maine DHHS recommends all EBT users take proactive security steps, including:

Security Tip	Details
Change your PIN regularly	Call 1-800-477-7428 or use the ebtEDGE app to change your PIN immediately.
Use lock/unlock features	Temporarily lock your EBT card when not in use through the ebtEDGE app.
Monitor account activity	Review your transaction history frequently to catch suspicious charges.
Block unnecessary transactions	Disable online or out-of-state use if not routinely needed.
Create a strong PIN	Avoid using obvious codes like 1234, 0000, or birthdates.

The $76,000 SNAP benefit theft in Maine underscores the importance of vigilance and cybersecurity awareness for all EBT cardholders. As federal protections remain limited, state agencies and recipients must act quickly to secure their accounts.

With hundreds already affected and more potentially at risk, now is the time for SNAP users to take action and safeguard their benefits.

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