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.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Now that kids are back in school after the holiday break, many organizations are giving supplies away for free.
On Saturday, Purvis Huggins Realty partnered with Greater Young Zion Brotherhood to give students the opportunity to restock.
They say by the time January rolls around, students are likely out of supplies.
“I spoke with someone about it a year ago. It was one of the teachers I know, and she was telling me that by the time the school season starts, they have a lot of materials. But by the time they get to the middle of the year, they’re out,” said Purvis Huggins, owner of Purvis Huggins Realty.
In each bag, students got paper, pencils, notebooks and other items based on their grade.
Students were also able to get a haircut and snack while at the event.
Huggins says they plan to do a supply giveaway twice a year.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Tuesday, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson will deliver the 2025 State of the City address.
It will be held at the Lee N. Beard Commission Chamber, located at 535 Telfair Street, at 12 p.m.
The address will be delivered prior to the Augusta Commission meeting.
Officials say it will highlight Augusta-Richmond County’s accomplishments from 2024 and will outline initiatives planned for 2025.
The address is free and will be open to the public. It will also be live streamed for those unable to attend in-person.
Officials say the Office of the Mayor is monitoring the possibility of inclement weather.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Winter weather could be heading towards the CSRA again, and the Georgia Department of Transportation says they are preparing for it.
GDOT says they are actively preparing and coordinating brine operations, equipment and materials to respond to the pending threat by treating hundreds of interstate and state route lane miles across the state.
Officials with GDOT say, unlike last week’s winter storm, this one has the potential to impact central Georgia′s entire 27-county area.
Because of the large area that could be impacted, G-DOT says treatment plans are being driven by priority.
Prior to the weather system’s arrival, crews will apply brine solutions to interstates, state routes, bridges, and overpasses in anticipation of freezing rain, sleet, ice, and snow.
Brine is a solution of salt and water used to decrease the probability of freezing under certain conditions.
GDOT crews are scheduled to begin brine operations on Sunday at 7 a.m. GDOT maintenance forces will begin by bringing I-20, I-520, and I-16. A GDOT contractor will focus on high-priority, multi-lane state routes.
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Officials say their highest priorities are I-20, I-16, and Bobby Jones Expressway, followed by high-priority multi-lane state routes, including US 1, US 25, US 441, and SR 540.
GDOT officials want to remind you:
- Brine operations could be delayed depending on weather conditions. The road temperature must be at least 20 degrees to successfully apply brine. Brine tanks remain full across the district after last week’s winter weather event. However, crews will be prepared to mix more brine solutions as needed.
- Be aware of the brine trucks and know they must travel 40 miles per hour to properly apply the treatment.
- Pay attention and stay back at least 100 feet. All drivers in the district are asked to start making plans now to limit travel next week in case winter weather impacts the area.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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