High Tech Thieves Use Skimmers to Steal From Michigan Bridge Card Holders

It's happening in Michigan and all across the country. High-tech thieves are using card skimmers - much like those used to steal debit and credit card information at gas pumps - to steal Bridge Card balances from unsuspecting victims.

Michigan residents who qualify for assistance are issued EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards in order to purchase grocery items, using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP.

About 1.34 million Michigan residents (around 13% of the population) rely on the food assistance program in order to provide for their families.

Thieves Use Skimmers in the Metro Detroit Area

As you'll see in the video below, several people in the Metro Detroit area tell WDIV that they have been victims of scammers using device skimmers to intercept their Bridge Card information.

Michigan Residents Should be Aware of Several Scams Involving EBT Cards

According to the US Department of Agriculture, skimming is not the only method thieves are using to target EBT card holders.

• There are phishing emails that target college students claiming that they are automatically qualified for SNAP benefits. The emails contain links to phony websites where victims are urged to enter their personal information.
• An 'Instant Cash EBT Card Scam lures cardholders to sign up for instant cash. The scam is often deployed through social media, inviting potential victims to click on links and enter personal information.
• The USDA also reports that thieves are using phony text messages to say that a SNAP EBT card has been locked. A phone number is provided to call for help, but officials say this is also a phishing scam to entice victims to share their sensitive financial information.