Reynoso Calls for an Office of SNAP Fraud, Victim Reimbursement Fund, and EBT Upgrades
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BROOKLYN, NY — Today, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for urgent action to address the growing crisis of SNAP benefit theft impacting families across Brooklyn and New York City. Joined by twenty social service organizations, Borough President Reynoso outlined a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening protections for SNAP recipients and preventing families from losing critical food assistance to fraud.
Brooklyn is at the epicenter of this SNAP theft crisis in New York City. Since August 2023, 60% of reimbursement claims have come from Brooklyn and the Bronx. SNAP theft most commonly occurs through skimming schemes that steal EBT card information and drain recipients’ accounts, often before families have the opportunity to use them. According to the Office of the State Comptroller, New York State reported approximately 85,000 cases of SNAP skimming totaling nearly $40 million in stolen benefits between 2023 and 2024. Nearly 3 million SNAP recipients across New York State are vulnerable to theft because EBT cards rely heavily on outdated magnetic stripe technology.
“Growing up, my family relied on SNAP, it was often the difference between having food on the table or going to bed hungry,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Today, too many families across New York City are struggling to afford basic necessities, and SNAP remains a vital lifeline in the fight against food insecurity. We cannot sit by idly while scammers prey on our neighbors and steal from the New Yorkers who need these benefits the most. That’s why today we are here to call on the State and the City to step up and address SNAP benefit theft as an urgent crisis and deliver meaningful relief victims.”
In a letter to New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistances and New York City Department of Social Services, Borough President Reynoso advocated for a comprehensive response to the growing crisis of SNAP benefit theft, including the creation of a dedicated Office of SNAP Fraud, an accelerated transition to secure chip-enabled EBT cards, expanded fraud reporting and enforcement mechanisms, a multilingual public education campaign on skimming prevention, and the establishment of a state-funded reimbursement program for victims whose benefits are stolen.
Additional speakers at the press conference included:
- Kong Leung Chan, speaking on behalf of his son who was a victim of SNAP theft
- Rabbi Niederman, United Jewish Organization
- Val Xelo, Mixteca
- Rabbi Indig, JCC of Williamsburg
- Mohammad Razvi, Council of Peoples Organization
- Tzvi Weill, Flatbush Shomrim
Additional organizations in attendance included:
- Homecrest Community Services
- Arab American Association
- RAICES
- Center for Family Life
- Bay Ridge Community Development Center
- Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation
- CAMBA
- The Campaign Against Hunger
- RiseBoro Community Partnership
- Public Health Solutions
- JCC of Canarsie
- JCC of Coney Island
- Boro Park Shomrim
- Williamsburg Shomrim
- Met Council
