ODJFS Warns Ohioans to Guard Against Fraud
During Fraud Prevention Month

COLUMBUS, OHIO – In recognition of Fraud Prevention Month, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder is urging Ohioans to be vigilant against fraud schemes targeting their benefits, personal information, and financial accounts.

“Criminals are sophisticated and relentless, and they target Ohioans who rely on programs like SNAP, unemployment insurance, and child support,” Damschroder said. “The best defense is awareness. Knowing how these schemes work and taking simple precautions can make the difference between protecting your benefits and losing them.”

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel have officially designated April 2026 as Fraud Prevention Month in Ohio, underscoring the state's commitment to protecting Ohioans and tax dollars from fraud in all its forms. ODJFS administers programs that serve millions of Ohioans each year, making awareness and prevention an essential part of the agency’s mission.

What ODJFS Is Doing to Fight Fraud

SNAP/EBT Fraud

ODJFS oversees the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is administered at the local level by County Departments of Job and Family Services. Preventing and mitigating fraud across all programs remains a top priority of the DeWine administration, and ODJFS has implemented a range of protective measures within SNAP specifically. These include the introduction of a lock/unlock feature for SNAP cards, strengthened PIN requirements to reduce vulnerability, account alerts to notify recipients of changes, blocking of suspicious retail terminals, and targeted communications to caution recipients about scams and encourage vigilance against card skimming devices. In addition, ODJFS uses a variety of anti-fraud tools to analyze data, detect suspicious activity, and cross-check state and national databases to verify recipient identity and eligibility.

Unemployment Insurance Fraud

As part of its on-going work to protect unemployment benefits, ODJFS instituted rigorous anti-fraud measures that identify potential fraud before payments are distributed. The agency requires vigorous identity verification, utilizing crosschecks of numerous state and federal databases. It also uses a suite of tools that identify and set aside potentially fraudulent claims for closer review.

How Ohioans Can Guard Against Fraud

SNAP/EBT Fraud

Criminals use a process called “skimming” to steal EBT card numbers by placing fraudulent devices over point-of-sale card readers to capture payment card information. Increasingly, bad actors are also using phishing (text messages and phone calls impersonating government agencies) to trick recipients into sharing their card numbers or PINs.

SNAP recipients are encouraged to take the following steps to protect their benefits:

• Manage your benefits through the secure ConnectEBT app. Card lock features allow users to block out-of-state transactions and require unlocking before any purchase is made.
• Create a PIN that is unique and difficult to guess and change it monthly before each scheduled deposit.
• Never share your card number or PIN with anyone. ODJFS will never ask for this information by phone or text.
• Carefully examine card readers before use and pull at the edges of the keypad to check for skimming devices.
• Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
• Do not respond to unsolicited texts or calls claiming to be from ODJFS or any government agency asking for your account information.

Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Identity theft continues to be a significant threat to Ohio's unemployment insurance system. Criminals use stolen personal information to file fraudulent unemployment claims. Ohioans who receive unexpected correspondence about an unemployment claim they did not file should report it immediately at unemployment.ohio.gov or by calling 1-877-644-6562.

Child Support Fraud

Ohioans should be cautious of unsolicited contacts claiming to represent child support agencies and requesting personal financial information or payment outside of official channels. ODJFS will never request payments or sensitive account information through unofficial means.

How Ohioans Can Report Fraud

Ohioans who suspect fraud involving any ODJFS-administered program are encouraged to report it:

• Visit the ODJFS Protect Against Fraud webpage
• Report Fraud: https://jfs.ohio.gov/fraud
• SNAP fraud: contact your local county Department of Job and Family Services
• Unemployment fraud: unemployment.ohio.gov or 1-877-644-6562
• Identity theft: https://jfs.ohio.gov/job-services-and-unemployment/unemployment/report-identity-theft-fraud/report-identity-theft-fraud

ODJFS works in coordination with the Ohio Investigative Unit, local law enforcement, and federal partners to detect and combat fraud across all programs the agency administers.