BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — More than $2 million in taxpayer dollars intended for the county’s neediest citizens was stolen in the last seven months, according to the District Attorney’s office.
The Kern County District Attorney, Cynthia Zimmer, revealed Tuesday the amount stolen as $2,549,401.54 in the first public acknowledgement of the scope of the problem in Kern County.
“I feel like they’re not doing enough to investigate it,” said Lauren Kriewaldt.
Most of the people who are hurt don’t know what has happened and they’re desperate for answers.
“I just hope they catch whoever is responsible and actually charge them,” said Branda Cofield.
The Department of Human Services said they receive about 800 requests per month regarding EBT theft.
A month ago, the District Attorney’s office and the state conducted a sting operation in Kern County that targeted skimming devices and fraudulent EBT cards. Norbert Karaba, 34, was charged with grand theft and fraud. The charges allege he had 78 cloned EBT cards and stole over $63,000 in cash.
Karaba was arrested while allegedly withdrawing money from ATMs, and is out on bail. The ATM withdrawals look similar to ones victims shared with 17 News. Neither the District Attorney’s office or the Department of Human Services have confirmed if February’s thefts are related to Karaba.
The state department of social services will soon roll out new cards which include tap to pay. They recommend beneficiaries to switch to tap to pay to lessen the chance of their cards being cloned by skimmers. These can be in ATMs, stores, even gas stations, and sometimes difficult to detect.
The department also recommends beneficiaries to monitor their movements through the ebtEDGE mobile app or through the website here.
Though, users have become weary of apps, fearing their information might also be stolen through these.
The Bakersfield Police Department can take your report if you believe your card was cloned or spot a suspected skimmer, call the non-emergency line at 661-327-7111.
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