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Understanding Trafficking in Food and Nutrition Services Benefits

Trafficking refers to the illegal buying or selling of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits, often done for cash or other non-eligible items. This can occur online or in public. The USDA investigates such activities through various means, including Charge Letters sent to retailers found guilty of trafficking. Monitoring social media and analyzing data are also vital in identifying fraud. Investigative red flags include rapid or high-dollar transactions in small stores. Awareness and enforcement help protect the integrity of FNS benefits.

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Understanding Trafficking in Food and Nutrition Services Benefits

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Updated Trafficking Definition

  2. What is Trafficking? • Trafficking is the buying or selling of Food and Nutrition Services benefits for cash or consideration other than eligible food; or the attempt to buy or sell FNS benefits online and/or in public

  3. How is trafficking referred? • USDA Charge Letters • USDA Office of Inspector General • Telephone calls and emails from the public • Monitor social media web sites • Data Mining

  4. What are Charge Letters? Charge Letters are used by USDA to notify authorized FNS retailers that they have been investigated and found guilty of trafficking FNS benefits

  5. Charge LettersCounty Notification • Charge letters are sent to County DSS from the State Office. • County DSS reviews client information for suspected recipient trafficking

  6. Investigative Red Flags • Several whole dollar transactions • Rapid Transactions back-to-back • High dollar transactions in a small store

  7. Monitoring Social Media Sites • USDA requires that social media sites be monitored for potential trafficking • SNAP RSS Feed Procedures provided by USDA to assist in identifying fraud activities online • Technical barriers - may need to be discussed with your county IT department

  8. Social Media Referral Example

  9. Data Mining • Prison Match Report • PARIS Report • BEER Report

  10. Questions?

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