FraudNews
04-12-2013, 10:30 AM
Federal officials revealed Ohio as being the first state in the United States to combat fraud and other crimes with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps). The state and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will share information to assist the state in reviewing food stamp dealings and identify fraud.
Federal officials said nearly one percent of $80 billion spent on the program around the nation is gone because of fraud, a decrease from 14 percent just several years ago. However, it’s thought that the decrease is wrong.
Approximately 1.8 million citizens of Ohio get SNAP benefits through “swipe” cards, costing the state about $2.4 billion each year.
Last year Dave Yost, Ohio’s state auditor, warned of the food stamp program abuse. He mentioned one scam where a person would get the food stamp card – use or sell it – and ask for another one, claiming the original card had been lost. Nearly 17,000 Ohioans on the food stamp program were issued 10 or more “new” cards in the last year.
It’s certainly in the taxpayers’ best interest to curb the rampant fraud in the SNAP program. With this new information-sharing opportunity, officials in the state can work to stop some of the fraud and bring criminal charges against those abusing the system.
Federal officials said nearly one percent of $80 billion spent on the program around the nation is gone because of fraud, a decrease from 14 percent just several years ago. However, it’s thought that the decrease is wrong.
Approximately 1.8 million citizens of Ohio get SNAP benefits through “swipe” cards, costing the state about $2.4 billion each year.
Last year Dave Yost, Ohio’s state auditor, warned of the food stamp program abuse. He mentioned one scam where a person would get the food stamp card – use or sell it – and ask for another one, claiming the original card had been lost. Nearly 17,000 Ohioans on the food stamp program were issued 10 or more “new” cards in the last year.
It’s certainly in the taxpayers’ best interest to curb the rampant fraud in the SNAP program. With this new information-sharing opportunity, officials in the state can work to stop some of the fraud and bring criminal charges against those abusing the system.