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Resource | Policy Memos SNAP and TANF Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Skimming Prevention– Tools and Resources

USDA's FNS and ACF at the Department of Health and Human Services are aware of increasing reports of benefit theft by criminal actors through EBT card skimming schemes. After discussions with EBT processors and fraud prevention stakeholders, FNS and ACF have identified prevention measures that can be adopted to improve card security while we work towards longer-term strategies.

10/31/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0052 SNAP Questions and Answers Concerning the Trafficking Controls and Fraud Investigations Final Rule

SNAP Questions and Answers Concerning the Trafficking Controls and Fraud Investigations Final Rule

06/23/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2013-0070 SNAP – Updated Federal Trafficking Definition

In February, 2013, FNS published final regulations revising the definition of trafficking. It subsequently came to our attention that some states were not clear that upon its effective date, federal law takes precedence and states were expected to implement the new federal trafficking definition.

08/23/2013
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: SNAP Trafficking Controls and Fraud Investigations

FNS is issuing a final rule to amend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations to allow state agencies to deny a request for a replacement card until contact is made by the household with the state agency, if the requests for replacement cards are determined to be excessive.

08/21/2013
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0069 Letters to Governors

Strengthening SNAP integrity, rooting out waste, fraud and abuse so that federal dollars are used appropriately.

11/15/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2004-0003 Fraud Policy: 7 CFR 273.16

This memorandum is to reiterate and clarify current policy governing intentional program violations as set forth in the Food Stamp Program regulations.

01/01/2004
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2004-0002 Head of Household as Individual Responsible for Intentional Program Violations

The following memo represents our position on the question of whether the head of household may be held responsible for an IPV when the household member that committed the IPV cannot be determined.

01/01/2004
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2003-0021 Cooperación del Programa de Cupones para Alimentos con investigaciones de fraude

Cooperación del Programa de Cupones para Alimentos con investigaciones de fraude.

04/24/2003
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2003-0020 Food Stamp Program Cooperation with Fraud Investigations

After a further review of this matter, and upon advice of our legal counsel, we have reconsidered our position on the use of the Request for Contact (RFC) to facilitate household cooperation with fraud investigations. We have decided that the RFC may only be issued by state eligibility workers and only when the state agency learns of a change in the household’s circumstances that calls into question the household’s continued eligibility for the program or its current level of benefits.

04/24/2003
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: FSP Retailer Integrity, Fraud Reduction and Penalties

The purpose of this final rule is to implement the Food Stamp Program retailer provisions included in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, as well as the retailer provision included in the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act. 

04/30/1999
Page updated: October 14, 2021