Investigation Reveals Massive Fraud Involving Lone Star Cards
An investigation is currently underway in Houston, Texas, after more than $81,000 in authorized charges were made on hundreds of Lone Star cards. The Lone Star card is a debit card issued to low-income families in the state to purchase food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The investigation was initiated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s Office of Inspector General following an anonymous call to the state’s SNAP fraud hotline.
According to information obtained by ABC13, a state employee has been named as one of the suspects in this fraudulent scheme. While the employee and her alleged co-conspirator have not been charged with a crime at this point, the investigation is ongoing. The employee, who works at the Health and Human Services office on West Little York in Acres Homes, is accused of stealing SNAP card information and selling it on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Investigators have discovered that the employee changed the Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) on 211 Lone Star cards from across the state, effectively preventing the rightful owners from accessing their benefits. Another woman, who used to work in the same office but was fired in 2018 for unspecified reasons, is also implicated in the scheme. She is accused of changing the PINs on 157 cards.
The two women are alleged to have made unauthorized charges on the cards and sold them to third parties. In a shocking confession obtained by investigators, the first woman admitted to her involvement in the scheme. She claimed that the second woman paid her 50 cents for each dollar of stolen SNAP benefits. The motive behind the fraud was reportedly the need to pay for the first woman’s late son’s funeral expenses.
The investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that this fraudulent activity may have been ongoing since June 2023. However, the first woman claims that it did not begin until November of the same year. Eyewitness News reached out to both women for comment, and while the second woman denies any knowledge of the investigation, the first woman’s confession raises serious questions about their involvement.
It is crucial to note that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has not provided any information regarding the current employment status of the first woman. Eyewitness News is awaiting a response from the commission.
This case highlights the vulnerability of government assistance programs to fraudulent activities. SNAP fraud, in particular, has been a persistent issue across the country. Recent studies estimate that fraud accounts for approximately 1% of SNAP expenditures, resulting in significant financial losses. Such fraud not only deprives deserving individuals and families of essential resources but also undermines the integrity of the program as a whole.
Efforts to combat SNAP fraud have been ongoing, with improved technology and stricter regulations being implemented. However, this case serves as a reminder that constant vigilance and robust investigative measures are necessary to protect the integrity of government assistance programs.
In conclusion, the investigation into the fraudulent activities involving Lone Star cards in Texas is still ongoing. The alleged involvement of a state employee and her accomplice raises concerns about the security of SNAP benefits and highlights the need for stronger safeguards against fraud. It is crucial that swift action be taken to hold those responsible accountable and prevent similar incidents in the future.
