Augusta, GA
Skimmers stealing benefits from Ga., S.C. SNAP recipients
AUGUSTA, Ga. – SNAP benefits are being wiped clean from some accounts and those who rely on the food stamp program say they’re not getting their payments — putting their livelihoods at risk.
The Georgia Department of Human Services said it has been dealing with thousands of reports of stolen EBT card funds dating back to 2023.
DHS officials said the department has spent $3 million in replacement food stamp benefits for those affected. The department said fraud is believed to be tied to skimming, or cloning and theft of EBT cards.
Susan Peek was supposed to get her SNAP benefits on Oct. 17.
“I depend on my food stamps to feed my family,” Peek said.
Peek said she believes there’s more to the issue.
“They’re saying that it’s skimmers, that when we go to the store, the skimmers are taking them. No, they’re never making it to our card. So it’s not coming when we use the cards out in public,” she said.
It’s also a problem across the Savannah River in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services sent out an advisory this week urging the 277,000 households receiving SNAP benefits to take these steps:
- Use Connect EBT on your mobile device. When using an app to access your benefits on a mobile device, be sure to use the official app for South Carolina DSS SNAP customers, which is Connect EBT. Unofficial apps are prevalent on app stores for both Apple and Android products. The South Carolina EBT cardholder portal can be accessed at https://www.connectebt.com.
- Spot card skimmers. Before you swipe your EBT — or any — card, pay attention to the card reader. Is it loose, off-center, or do parts of it wiggle? Then don’t put your card there. Report it to the store manager and consider shopping elsewhere.
- Change your PIN often. Do it at least once a month, right before you get your next benefits.
- Watch for phishing. State agencies and EBT processors will never call or text you to ask for your PIN or card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.
- Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you see any, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases — and contact your local SNAP office.
South Carolina SNAP clients who believe their benefits were electronically stolen should immediately report the loss to local law enforcement, and recipients should call the 24-hour toll-free customer service line at 800-554-5268 to cancel their EBT card and protect their benefits.
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:focal(0x0:3000x2000)/static.texastribune.org/media/files/ef288fc4f76cb548d8e7a06f8d5653fc/Johnson%20Trump%20Bill%20Sign%20REUTERS.jpg?w=400&resize=400,240&ssl=1 "Here’s what’s in Trump’s GOP megabill and how it will affect Texans")
:focal(0x0:3000x2000)/static.texastribune.org/media/files/ef288fc4f76cb548d8e7a06f8d5653fc/Johnson%20Trump%20Bill%20Sign%20REUTERS.jpg?w=80&resize=80,80&ssl=1 "Here’s what’s in Trump’s GOP megabill and how it will affect Texans")
UPDATE: June 17, 3:41 p.m. – According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the roadway has been reopened.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A portion of Gordon Highway has been closed Wednesday after a body was found in a nearby pond.
Richmond County Investigators say the 1200 block of eastbound Gordon Highway at Doug Barnard Parkway is closed, and that drivers should seek an alternate route.
The Augusta Fire Department, Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division have responded to the scene.
According to Coroner Mark Bowen, a positive ID will have to be made due to the condition of the body. An autopsy has been scheduled.
No further information has been released.
Video: Georgia primary runoff election 2026 polls open
Polls have opened for Georgia’s primary runoff election in the midterms for governor, senator, and other major leadership positions.
Augusta will have a new mayor.
Steven Kendrick, a local blueprint company owner whose civic involvement includes more than 13 years leading Richmond County’s tax office, defeated incumbent Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson on Tuesday in a nonpartisan runoff election.
With all 65 Richmond County precincts reporting, Kendrick received 14,651 or 54.27% of the vote to Johnson’s 12,347 or 45.73% of the vote.
In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 8 seat on the Augusta Commission, Evett Williams defeated Michael Cioffi, 2,174 votes (52.61%) to 1,958 (47.39%).
In the Republican runoff for the District 1 seat on Columbia County’s Board of Commissioners, Alex Griffin beat Bobby Timmerman, 2,778 votes to 1,875 (59.7% to 40.2%).
In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 2 seat on the Columbia County Board of Education, Tiffany Heitzman drew 2,768 votes (60.7%) over Deborah Williams’ 1,790 (39.2%).
In the Georgia governor’s Republican runoff, Richmond County voted for billionaire health-care executive Rick Jackson with 4,284 votes (53.67%) over Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones with 3,698 votes (46.33%). In Columbia County, Jones got 51.1% of the vote with 7,283 votes over Jackson’s 48.8% with 6,959 votes.
In the Republican runoff to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate, Richmond County chose U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, 4,379 votes or 55.91%, over former football coach Derek Dooley, 3,453 or 44.09%. In Columbia County, Collins’ 63.2% of the vote, 8,913, beat Dooley’s 36.7%, 5,171. Collins will face Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in the November general election.
It’s Primary Runoff Election Day in Georgia, which includes on the Republican ballot races for governor to replace lame-duck incumbent Brian Kemp, and GOP challengers to upend Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
There are also important local races still to be decided in this runoff held Tuesday, June 16, including for the mayor of Augusta, and seats on the commissions for Richmond and Columbia counties.
Below are race results showing how candidates for those races and other key races are performing. Check back often on Tuesday evening and Wednesday as vote totals are updated.
Voting started at 7 a.m. and concluded at 7 p.m. While some of these races will be decided on Tuesday, many winners of the runoff still must face challengers in the Nov. 3 General Election.
To check on your voting eligibility and polling locations, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voting Page” website at mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Congressional District 12
Governor
Columbia County District 1
Mayor of Augusta
Augusta-Richmond County Commission District 8
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