This browser does not support the Video element.
Houston mother alleging SNAP benefit fraud
A Houston mother is seeking help after alleging to being a victim of a SNAP benefit fraud. She says this is the second time her food stamps were stolen from her card despite taking some safety precautions.
HOUSTON - A Houston mother is seeking help after alleging she was a victim of SNAP benefit fraud for the second time, despite taking safety precautions.
Houston mother reports second SNAP fraud case
The backstory:
Anika Nicholas, a mother of two, reported that nearly $800 was stolen from her EBT card, even though she had locked it.
On October 1, $784 was stolen and used at a Sam’s Club in Arkansas.
Nicholas has filed a report with the Houston Police Department and the Department of Health and Human Services.
This browser does not support the Video element.
‘Someone needs to go to jail’
What they're saying:
Nicholas expressed her frustration, stating, "I’m not only frustrated, but I’m sad because I don’t get the benefits for me; they’re for my children. Y’all not taking from me; y’all taking from my children."
This is not the first time Nicholas has faced this issue. Last fall, she reported $538 was stolen and used at an H-E-B in San Antonio.
"For them to not help me or not even try to reach out to help me, that’s where I draw the line," Nicholas said. "Now I need to go to HPD. Now I need to make a police report. Now someone needs to go to jail."
‘The second time, but the last time’
Dig deeper:
Nicholas reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services but was informed they could not recover the money. Instead, she was given a list of food pantries.
"I didn’t take it. I don’t feel like my kids should be eating from a food pantry," Nicholas said. "Nothing is wrong with a food pantry, but that’s what I get benefits for—to feed my children."
Houston Police confirmed Nicholas reported the fraud, but an investigator has not been assigned to her case yet.
Nicholas explained the precautions she took: "Not only did I lock my card. Once it happened the first time, I got a new card, changed my PIN. So on 10-01 of 2025, when my stamp set at 12:00, I made sure that my card was locked."
Nicholas is determined to see those responsible held accountable. "Whoever it is needs to be prosecuted. I want them to go to jail. This is going to be the second time but the last time. My kids won’t go through it again."
What you can do:
Texas Health and Human Services provided this information and advice:
HHSC takes the security of our client’s benefits very seriously. SNAP card skimming has been a persistent problem across the country, including Texas. Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) has resources on its SNAP Skimming Resources webpage.
If a SNAP client has been a victim of fraud, they should take immediate action by doing the following:
Call the Lone Star Help Desk at 800-777-7328 to change their PIN and cancel their card.
Report the fraud to the OIG by calling 2-1-1, and after choosing a language, pick option 3 or use the online reporting form found on the OIG’s Report Fraud, Waste or Abuse webpage.
SNAP benefits that were stolen on or after Dec. 21, 2024, are not eligible for replacement. The Federal law that allowed replacement was not extended beyond Dec. 20, 2024.
HHSC advises clients to be proactive about preventing fraud on their Lone Star Card. Client tips about how to protect themselves from fraud can be viewed on the HHSC Lone Star Card Fraud Awareness and Prevention webpage.
Your Texas Benefits website and mobile app allows clients to monitor their card transactions, change their PIN and lock their card between purchases.
Individuals can seek assistance from an HHSC-certified Community Partner as they may be eligible for additional benefits beyond SNAP. Here are some of the ways the program offers support:
Select Community Partners can provide a list of local organizations and services that offer assistance with food security, such as food banks, community kitchens and meal programs.
Additionally, Texans can access the HHSC Community Partner, Feeding Texas, to locate local food bank information.
Texans can also call the 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network (TIRN) by dialing 2-1-1, Option 1. The 2-1-1 TIRN provides information and referrals to local governmental and community social services, including food pantries.
The Source: FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia spoke with Anika Nicholas and reached out to Health and Human Services, as well as Houston Police.