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Number of families impacted by card skimmers rises, benefit reimbursement not a guarantee

As of Friday, 86 people have filed reports of stolen EBT benefits with the High Point Police Department.

HIGH POINT, N.C. — Guilford County Social Services is still working with families impacted by EBT card fraud. 

86 people have come forward to file a report with the High Point Police. 

So far, all of those reports involve EBT Cards. 

Card skimmers were found at two High Point Walmart Stores last month. 

One at the North Main Street store and another at the store on South Main Street. 

As for those who lost their benefits because of these skimmers, it is still unclear if the missing funds will ever get reimbursed. 

"It is that process of saying 'OK state, we know this is happened here, can you request to the federal government whether or not we can reimburse?' It kind of works that chain down from the federal government to the state, do the county," said Guilford County Communications Director Julie Smith. 

Smith says the county has been working with their partners to share food resources with those impacted. 

High Point Police say Walmart is cooperating with the investigation, locally. 

However, This is not just an issue we are facing here in North Carolina. 

The USDA warned of the growing skimmer problem in October of 2022.

Millions of dollars in nutrition benefits have been stolen from families in California, New York, Massachusetts and Illinois.

"People who qualify for food benefits need those benefits in order to feed themselves and their families. So that is what is most unfortunate about this incident. Whomever installed these devices stole benefits from people and families who need to eat," said Smith. 

Investigators are encouraging all EBT recipients to check their accounts and report anything suspicious to your local police department.

This includes EBT recipients who live in other areas outside of Guilford County.

If the stolen funds are going to be reimbursed, that will be a decision from the Federal Government. 

No word as to exactly if or when that could happen. 

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