safety
Florida man says thieves stole $2,800 in SNAP benefits from EBT card, spent funds hundreds of miles away: "I was frozen"
By Steve Maugeri at CBS4 Miami
· June 15, 2026
· 3 min read
South Florida resident Haresh Pahilwani says he was shocked when his EBT card was declined at checkout."I really don't know how this happened," Pahilwani told CBS News Miami.Pahilwani receives SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, and says he typically does not spend all of the money loaded
Key takeaway "I really don't know how this happened," Pahilwani told CBS News Miami.
Why this matters in The Miami
The case of Haresh Pahilwani's stolen SNAP benefits raises concerns about the vulnerability of Miami-Dade County's low-income residents to EBT card fraud. As a major hub for Latin American and Caribbean communities, Miami has a significant population that relies on SNAP benefits to access basic necessities. The fact that Pahilwani's benefits were spent hundreds of miles away in Maryland suggests a sophisticated scam that exploits weaknesses in the system. Local residents who rely on SNAP benefits should be aware of the risk of skimming devices and cloned cards, and take advantage of security features offered by EBT systems to protect their accounts. The lack of a state-specific fund to reimburse stolen benefits also highlights the need for greater support and resources for those affected by EBT card fraud in Miami-Dade County.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 15, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? South Florida resident Haresh Pahilwani says he was shocked when his EBT card was declined at checkout."I really don't know how this happened," Pahilwani told CBS News Miami.Pahilwani receives SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, and says he typically does not spend all of the money loaded
When was this published? This article was first published on June 15, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Steve Maugeri at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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