"Senator and Congress Addressing SNAP Card Security Amid Skimming and Theft Increase"

Senator Ron Wyden has called for tighter federal security requirements for the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards used by low-income families to buy food, as more households become victims of electronic theft. The cards, which are used in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), currently only have magnetic stripes, making them vulnerable to skimming. Wyden has urged the US Department of Agriculture to require updated technology, such as embedded microchips and contactless payments, to combat the issue. The USDA has said it is working with state and federal partners and retailers to protect SNAP benefits and will pilot a program using mobile payment technology.