PRESS RELEASE
USDA OIG Joins U.S. Secret Service in Multi-City Effort to Deter SNAP Fraud
For Immediate Release
February 2, 2026
Washington D.C. – Today USDA Inspector General (IG) John Walk expressed his appreciation to the special agents of USDA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) on their participation in the U.S. Secret Service-led Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) fraud and ATM skimming outreach effort. They joined personnel from the Secret Service, USDA, Homeland Security Investigations, and State partners to educate businesses that participated on a voluntary basis to learn how to identify illegal card skimming devices. These businesses welcomed an inspection of their point-of-sale terminals for these types of illegal devices. These outreach efforts are part of a series of similar efforts taking place nationwide. In 2025, these operations have prevented an estimated potential loss of more than $428 million nationwide. Earlier in the operation, IG Walk accompanied USDA OIG special agents and other law enforcement as they conducted outreach to retail locations across Cincinnati, Ohio.
“Fraudsters who seek to exploit EBT—increasingly using technology and complicated networks—do so at the expense of needy American families by stealing SNAP benefits. OIG will aggressively go after all forms of SNAP fraud with all appropriate resources while building partnerships with local, State, and Federal law enforcement. I commend our special agents and participating local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers who performed professionally with flawless execution. OIG will continue to work with law enforcement partners to identify and deter Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud and help hold criminals accountable for their theft of taxpayer dollars,” said IG Walk.