Danville residents who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly called SNAP — benefits on Wednesday are reporting thefts of those benefits.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Danville Department of Social Services issued a statement asking recipients "to take immediate steps to protect" their cards after reports that money was stolen through "fraudulent scam activity."
The agency said that "a significant number" of SNAP recipients reported unauthorized theft of their benefits, and the Virginia Department of Social Services is investigating to figure out how widespread an issue it is.
"Any SNAP recipient who believes their benefits were stolen should contact their local Social Services department immediately to report the incident and request a replacement EBT card," a news release states.
The agency urges SNAP recipients to use a lock/unlock feature available through their account.
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"Locking an EBT card when it is not being used is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized transactions and protect benefits from ongoing scam activity," the release stated.
For help, clients may call the Danville Department of Social Services at 434-799-6543 or visit the office during regular business hours.
