Trafficking - EBT PATTERNS.

It used to be easy for babysitters to collect payments for children in their care while their parent collected benefits in a neighboring state. It was easy to collect for three children when you only had two. Even if your worker recognizes you and is familiar with your case, your worker has never been to your home. The worker doesn't know which ones are really your children. It's easy to collect extra money. If you exchange your food stamps for money or collect more benefits than you are entitled to, you should wonder what will happen to your children if you get arrested.

Food Stamp Fraud

Thirty people in Brushton, New York, were arrested for food stamp fraud at the Old Time Butcher Block Store. The store's owner Dennis Sauve was also arrested. New York state police reported that the individuals used their EBT benefits to buy alcoholic beverages. Sauve (45) was charged with third-degree grand larceny for perpetrating the fraud.

According to New York law §155.35, third degree grand larceny is a class "D" felony requiring two to seven years in prison. Most food stamp fraud is committed by retail stores, not by food stamp recipients. The 30 arrests were the result of a thorough investigation by the USDA, the New York office of Temporary Disability Assistance, and the Franklin County District Attorney's office.

Small Stores

The U. S. Department of Agriculture reported, on June 2, 2017, that the vast majority of food stamp fraud occurs in small stores. New retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increased 40 percent during the last five years. Most electronic benefit transfer (EBT) payments are spent in large chain supermarkets. Less than 0.5 percent of all food stamp fraud occurs where 82% of the benefits are spent.

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