U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials joined forces with federal law enforcement this week to combat SNAP benefit fraud. The collaboration targets criminals exploiting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which affects taxpayers and those in need of assistance.
Secretary Rollins emphasized the Trump Administration's stance against fraud, stating, “Fraud will not be tolerated by the Trump Administration. I want to thank our hardworking law enforcement officers who work every day to ensure federal benefits are properly distributed and safeguard taxpayer dollars from criminals.” Rollins added that the USDA's efforts focus on preventing fraud and ensuring recipients receive their benefits.
John Walk, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security in Los Angeles for investigative operations. These operations address the increasing theft involving SNAP EBT cards caused by card skimmers and terminal cloning. Such fraudulent activities, often linked to international criminal organizations, have seen a rise in recent years.
“These are truly sick and depraved individuals who are stealing food from low-income Americans for their own profit. It is especially disturbing when international criminal organizations siphon tax dollars away from SNAP beneficiaries to fund their own illicit activities. I commend Secretary Rollins attention in fighting this fraud,” said Walk.
The USDA continues to collaborate with law enforcement to tackle fraud and misuse, thereby protecting public funds and supporting legitimate beneficiaries.
