$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
food assistance program expansion scam
Scammers promote fake expansions to SNAP or food assistance programs on social media, collecting personal information and fees from people seeking help with food costs.
“debt scam”
↑ 83%Key indicators
Usually targetsLow-income households
Often hitsRetirees and seniors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers run social media campaigns claiming SNAP benefits have been expanded and more people now qualify.
2
Victims are directed to fake application sites that collect SSN, income data, and sometimes EBT card information.
3
Stolen EBT data is used to drain existing benefits, and personal data is used for identity theft.
What to do first
Apply for SNAP only through your state's official Department of Social Services or at fns.usda.gov/snap.
Related terms
fake SNAP expansion scamfood stamp phishingFinancial relief scamsSocial mediaRisingLow-income householdsSeniorsFamiliesRetirees and seniorsParents and familiesUnited Statesfake SNAP expansion scamfood stamp phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Sarah, 35, a low-income households, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate financial relief scams situation while using Social media. Scammers run social media campaigns claiming SNAP benefits have been expanded and more people now qualify.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Victims are directed to fake application sites that collect SSN, income data, and sometimes EBT card information.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen EBT data is used to drain existing benefits, and personal data is used for identity theft.
The outcome
Sarah realized something was wrong when social media ad claims snap benefits have been dramatically expanded with a link to apply. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Apply for SNAP only through your state's official Department of Social Services or at fns.usda.gov/snap. Sarah's experience shows why social media ad claims snap benefits have been dramatically expanded with a link to apply and application asks for a processing fee or requests your ebt card number and pin are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Social media ad claims SNAP benefits have been dramatically expanded with a link to apply
- Application asks for a processing fee or requests your EBT card number and PIN
- Website is not affiliated with your state's official SNAP program
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Apply for SNAP only through your state's official Department of Social Services or at fns.usda.gov/snap.
- ✓SNAP applications are always free — never pay a fee to apply.
- ✓Report fake SNAP programs to the USDA Office of Inspector General.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The USDA Office of Inspector General reported a significant increase in SNAP-related fraud and phishing schemes in 2023-2024, particularly targeting EBT card holders through social media.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Apply for SNAP only through your state's official Department of Social Services or at fns.usda.gov/snap.
- ✓SNAP applications are always free — never pay a fee to apply.
- ✓Report fake SNAP programs to the USDA Office of Inspector General.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The USDA Office of Inspector General reported a significant increase in SNAP-related fraud and phishing schemes in 2023-2024, particularly targeting EBT card holders through social media.
USDA Office of Inspector General 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Low-income households, Seniors, Families
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Social media — Financial relief scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Low-income households are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The USDA Office of Inspector General reported a significant increase in SNAP-related fraud and phishing schemes in 2023-2024, particularly targeting EBT card holders through social media.
Source notes
- USDA Office of Inspector General 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about food assistance program expansion scam
How does the food assistance program expansion scam work?+
Scammers run social media campaigns claiming SNAP benefits have been expanded and more people now qualify. Victims are directed to fake application sites that collect SSN, income data, and sometimes EBT card information. Stolen EBT data is used to drain existing benefits, and personal data is used for identity theft.
What are the warning signs of food assistance program expansion scam?+
Social media ad claims SNAP benefits have been dramatically expanded with a link to apply Application asks for a processing fee or requests your EBT card number and PIN Website is not affiliated with your state's official SNAP program
What should I do if I encounter food assistance program expansion scam?+
Apply for SNAP only through your state's official Department of Social Services or at fns.usda.gov/snap. SNAP applications are always free — never pay a fee to apply. Report fake SNAP programs to the USDA Office of Inspector General.
Who is most at risk for food assistance program expansion scam?+
This scam primarily targets Low-income households, Seniors, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Social media.
Is food assistance program expansion scam on the rise?+
food assistance program expansion scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Marketplace fraud
→ 0%Marketplace payment reversal scam
A buyer on a marketplace uses fake payment confirmation, overpayment stories, or refund pressure to get goods without completing a legitimate payment.
What to do first
Only trust the actual payment app or bank balance, not screenshots.
Targets
Casual sellers
Seen in
U.S.
Travel fraud
↑ 54%Travel booking message hijack scam
A traveler receives a realistic property or booking message that requests off-platform payment, identity verification, or a new deposit.
What to do first
Keep all communication and payment inside the booking platform.
Targets
Travelers
Seen in
Europe
Identity theft
↑ 17%Medical billing identity fraud
Stolen identity details are used for medical claims or treatments, leading to fraudulent bills and corrupted records for the victim.
What to do first
Review insurance explanations of benefits regularly.
Targets
Families
Seen in
U.S.
Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
Relevant collections