WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden on Thursday joined Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to improve the security of electronic devices. introduced the SNAP Cybersecurity Enhancement Act. Benefits cards protect families in need from thieves who steal millions of dollars' worth of essential goods.
Rep. Andy Kim (DN.J.) and Rep. Mike Lawler (RN.Y.) are leading the bill in the House.
To date, tens of millions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been stolen by criminals who exploited the lax security of SNAP electronic benefit cards. For years, Congress has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to require states to issue cards with secure chips rather than magnetic strips that can be easily duplicated by criminals. Despite these requests, the Department of Agriculture failed to update security regulations for benefit cards.
“There is no excuse for this two-tier system: families in need are using outdated and easily hackable technology, while people with credit and ATM cards are better protected. Doing nothing is not enough for families, but it can't be the difference between a family needing food for dinner and someone being hungry.” Wyden said.
“SNAP is a critical lifeline for nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians, and we must do everything we can to protect it. It's despicable to target families who have been killed. We can't let bad actors starve families.” Senator Fetterman said. “As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Nutrition Subcommittee, I am determined to do everything I can to protect and expand SNAP benefits and ensure that American families have food on the table, no matter what. In addition to this bill, I also Fairness for victims of SNAP skimming laws Authorizes national SNAP agencies to refund benefits to SNAP recipients who have been stolen through skimming. I am proud to work on the other side of bipartisan, bicameral legislation to modernize SNAP and stop criminals from stealing critical food assistance from working families. ”
“SNAP is supposed to help people who are food insecure.” Dr. Cassidy said. “We are not supposed to help criminals who steal these profits. This allows us to fight them while preserving profits for those most in need.”
“Hundreds of thousands of people in New Jersey alone rely on SNAP to support themselves and their families. With outdated card technology, we are making their benefits vulnerable to cybersecurity theft and leaving families vulnerable to leaving people at risk of not being able to put food on the table every day.” Rep. Kim. “I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that makes common-sense upgrades to EBT cards that protect Americans’ SNAP benefits from everyday threats.”
“We must ensure that families who rely on SNAP receive the support they need, which means we must take appropriate safeguards to protect SNAP benefits from cybersecurity threats. means,” he said. Congressman Lawler. “To that end, I am proud to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral SNAP Enhancement Cybersecurity Act with my colleagues Congressman Kim and Senators Wyden, Fetterman, and Cassidy. This will go a long way in ensuring that people who need this help get it, rather than scammers preying on people.”
of Strengthening Cybersecurity for the SNAP Act Addresses fraud by directing USDA to update cybersecurity regulations to ensure SNAP benefits cannot be easily stolen by criminals. Specifically, the bill would require:
- USDA issues updated regulations requiring SNAP cards to include anti-fraud technology to prevent cloning. These regulations also cover mobile payments (such as tap-to-pay on smartphones) and must be updated every five years to align with payment security safeguards from the private sector and federal agencies.
- With USDA funding, states will begin issuing chip-enabled SNAP cards within two years of implementing the new regulations. Within four years, states will no longer be able to issue new SNAP cards that include magnetic stripes. Within five years, states will be required to reissue all existing SNAP cards that include magnetic stripes as chip-only cards.
- USDA will administer a grant program that will fund chip-enabled payment machine upgrades for food deserts, farmers markets, and small grocery stores in farm-to-consumer programs.
- The state offers families a free replacement of their SNAP card within three days if the card is stolen, cloned by a fraudster or malfunctions.
- Countries that provide multiple accessible, reliable, and mobile-friendly user interfaces, such as smartphone apps and online web portals, for families to manage their EBT accounts.
This bill is Oregon Food Bank, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), Propel, Secure Tech Alliance (STA), Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), Hunger Free America, Higher Education Advocates, Code Four・USA, MAZON: Jewish Response to Hunger, Bread for the World, American Heart Association, R Street, Feeding Texas, Hunger Free New Jersey, Food Bank of South Jersey, Hunger Solutions NY.
Food Research & Action Center: “The SNAP Cybersecurity Enhancement Act is an important next step to protect SNAP consumers from losses caused by fraudulent electronic transactions,” said Luis Guardia, director of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). “SNAP is our nation's front line against hunger, but its effectiveness is being undermined by ongoing skimming theft, leaving individuals and families unable to purchase enough food to put their dinner table on the table. Tip-enabled benefits With the card, SNAP households can make secure transactions without fear of losing benefits.”
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute: “Massachusetts Law Reform Institute has worked with hundreds of families who have had their SNAP benefits stolen. Low-income households facing food insecurity remain more vulnerable to theft than all other consumers. It is unconscionable that SNAP households are being subjected to “skimming” at the checkout line. We urge lawmakers to address this major gap in federal law. ”
Nan Swift, R Street Institute Governance Program Fellow: “The R Street Institute is pleased to support the bipartisan Cybersecurity Enhancement for SNAP Act of 2024. This bill would provide long-overdue fraud prevention and financial management tools for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries.
Unlike other debit cards associated with federal programs such as Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and even the Economic Impact Cards that Americans received during the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP users' Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Cards do not have the latest chip technology to prevent skimming and other forms of passive fraud that can deprive families of vital funds. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, replacing these funds would not only cost millions of dollars but could increase nutritional insecurity in the lives of vulnerable populations.
Congress is responsible for this oversight, and Congress is responsible for fixing and strengthening EBT fraud prevention technology. The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Cybersecurity Act is a fundamental good governance measure that should be enacted quickly to prevent fraud and protect limited resources. ”
Read the full text of the bill here.
Click here for a one-page summary.
