Latest news with #SNAPEBT
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Uber Welcomes New Retailers to its SNAP EBT Program
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Uber Eats (NYSE:UBER) today announced the arrival of even more grocery and convenience selection for consumers shopping with SNAP benefits across the country. Wegmans, Gopuff and Family Dollar join a growing list of grocery merchants and convenience retailers accepting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) payment for purchases made on Uber Eats. The increasing selection reinforces Uber Eats' commitment to expand food accessibility and support communities in need. Eligible customers can now use their SNAP EBT benefits to order groceries from participating locations through the Uber Eats app, with payments powered by Forage, the mission-driven payments company. In the months ahead, Uber teams will work to add even more retailers who will accept SNAP EBT payments on Uber Eats orders, including those that are new to Uber Eats. The following U.S. retailers now accept SNAP EBT benefits for Uber Eats orders: 7-ElevenACMEAlbertson'sAndronico'sBalducci'sCardenas MarketsCarrsCub FoodCVSDierbergsDuane ReadeEl RanchoEl SuperFairplay FoodsFamily DollarFiesta MartFood BazaarFood TownFoodMaxxGiant EagleGopuffHarveys SupermarketHy-VeeJewel OscoKing's Food MarketLos Altos Ranch MarketLucky SupermarketsMarket DistrictMeijerMorton WilliamsPavilionsRandall'sSafewaySave A LotSaveMartSedano'sShaw'sShoppers Food WarehouseSmart & FinalSpeedwaySproutsStar MarketStew LeonardsSuper King MarketsSuperlo FoodsTom ThumbTony's Fresh MarketVonsWalgreensWegmansWinn-Dixie "We believe that everyone deserves the convenience of delivery, and with this growing list of merchant partners we can continue to provide access to the fresh food that families and individuals need, especially those without access to reliable transportation for whom food delivery can be a lifeline," said Hashim Amin, Head of Grocery and Retail Delivery at Uber, North America. "This expansion gives SNAP recipients access to tens of thousands of new stores — from national chains to local grocers — all through the Uber Eats app," said Ofek Lavian, co-founder and CEO of Forage. "We're proud to power the technology behind it, helping more families use their benefits with confidence and convenience." As Uber Eats continues to innovate and expand its services, the company remains dedicated to addressing food insecurity and fostering inclusive communities. This payment option is a vital step in achieving that goal, removing barriers and allowing all people and families to make healthy choices. For improved convenience, customers can now browse through a wide range of SNAP-enabled retailers and grocery items within the app via the new SNAP icon. To highlight the growing selection of retailers and offer greater value, EBT cardholders will receive $0 Delivery Fee on their first three SNAP-eligible orders. Additionally, eligible EBT cardholders can currently receive a limited-time free trial of Uber One, which includes a $0 Delivery Fee on all eligible food, groceries, and more + other benefits, when they link their EBT card in the Uber Eats app. As part of our ongoing commitment to affordability and access, Uber Eats is exploring additional ways to support SNAP users through future promotions. For the most up-to-date offers, please check the Uber Eats app. About Uber Uber's mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 61 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities. Uber press contact: press@ About Forage Forage builds payments infrastructure that processes government benefits, starting with enabling merchants to accept SNAP EBT payments. 42 million Americans receive government assistance to afford groceries, and Forage powers payments to serve communities in need. Forage is the only USDA-approved third-party payment processor (TPP) that offers retailers best-in-class software combined with dedicated service, enabling complex government payments online and guiding retailers through USDA authorization. For more information visit Press Contact: pr@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Uber
CNBC
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
12. Thrive Market
Founders: Nick Green (CEO), Sasha Siddhartha, Gunnar Lovelace, Kate MullingLaunched: 2014Headquarters: Los AngelesFunding: $300 millionValuation: N/AKey Technologies: N/AIndustry: Food, logisticsPrevious appearances on Disruptor 50 list: 1 (No. 20 in 2024) In a decade, Thrive Market has grown from a niche health food startup to a major online grocery player. The company now has more than 1.6 million paid members across the continental U.S. It's made further moves over the past year to expand operations and strengthen its position. Thrive opened a dedicated frozen foods facility in Sparks, Nevada, in October. By bringing logistics in-house, the company said it improved shipping speeds by 20% and cut refund rates by 10%. More than one million frozen units have shipped from the facility to date. Frozen goods, once a small part of the business, now span 350 SKUs and are growing at a double-digit rate annually. Through its expansion, the company has stayed close to its mission of healthy and sustainable living. Thrive introduced new product standards in 2024, excluding more than 1,000 ingredients, including GMOs, synthetic sweeteners, and artificial flavors. The company earned Climate Neutral Certification in March, a sustainability milestone that the company earned by investing in ways to avoid, remove, and reduce carbon emissions from making or delivering products and services. Thrive operates on a membership model, charging $5 to $12 a month for access to natural and organic products at discounted prices. About 50% of members live in areas without easy access to health food retailers, and over 40% have household incomes under $100,000, reflecting a broad, middle-class customer base. Thrive became the first online-only grocer approved to accept SNAP EBT benefits nationwide in February 2024. The company has also continued to make key investments in technology. It introduced AI-enabled carts last year, which make purchase suggestions based on a quiz. Thrive partnered with Instacart's Carrot Ads in October to roll out a retail media network. The solution will allow brands to run campaigns inside Thrive Market's website and app. In the first two months after rollout, the network offering saw 150% growth. Online grocery remains a fast-moving, crowded space. Retail giants like Walmart and Amazon are scaling up their online grocery offerings as are niche competitors, such as Misfits Market and Grove Collaborative. Thrive's future will depend on retaining subscribers, maintaining convenience, and preserving its identity as a mission-driven brand.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Illinois man was attacked online after scammers shopped at his store with SNAP funds stolen from Texas
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the country's biggest food-benefit program, according to the USDA. In 2023, an average of 42.1 million people received monthly SNAP benefits. The USDA says that over 250,000 retailers across the U.S. accept SNAP benefits. However, one Illinois retailer recently got into trouble for that. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) According to a CBS News Chicago report, Alsham Supermarket and Bakery in Lombard, Illinois, was on the receiving end of bad online reviews after SNAP recipients in other states had their benefits fraudulently used there. But Ardavan Nazari, who owns the store, insists he did nothing wrong. "People, they point their fingers. They're upset and they're mad because somebody stole their information. But the one who stole the information is not us," Nazari told CBS News Chicago. Unfortunately, it's not difficult for criminals to steal people's SNAP benefits. The process is similar to stealing a credit card or debit card number. Criminals can use skimming devices and hidden cameras to capture SNAP EBT data. EBT is the electronic system that lets SNAP users pay for purchases using their benefits. Think of it as a SNAP-specific debit card. Once criminals have that data, they can replicate actual SNAP EBT cards and use whatever funds are on them to buy things for themselves. That's what happened at Nazari's Chicago-area store. When the situation became clear, customers started writing negative reviews online about Alsham Supermarket and Bakery stealing their money. Nazari was upset when he saw the accusations. "I have been here five years, working very hard on this store," he told CBS News. "We're working hard here to get good reviews, good staff, good inventory." Nazari tried contacting some of the people who wrote negative reviews about his business. "I start asking them over the phone questions like, 'Somebody stole your card? Or you give your card to someone?'" he told CBS News. "And they said, 'No, we have the card in the hand.'" Two of the people whose SNAP benefits were used at Nazari's store live in Houston. In late February, Kimberley Edwards tried to use her SNAP benefits at a local store and was told by the cashier that she only had $13 left. "It was just devastating," she told CBS News. "My main concern was, how was I going to supply food for my son?" Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs When Edwards checked to see where her balance had gone, she saw a $432 transaction for Alsham Supermarket and Bakery. "I've never been to Illinois," she said. Something similar happened to another Texas resident, Lakeda Cunningham, in April. "I went to Dollar General to purchase drinks, and when I swiped the card and put the code in, the cashier told me that it was insufficient funds," Cunningham told CBS News. "I was like, 'That's not possible because my money just posted on April 18th, six days ago." It turned out someone had used Cunningham's SNAP benefits to charge $162.11 at Alsham Supermarket and Bakery that same day. "I've never been to Illinois," Cunningham said. "Period." The USDA says that in the fourth quarter of 2024, approximately 446,000 fraudulent SNAP transactions were reported, affecting almost 144,000 households. In Illinois, SNAP fraud has been a huge issue. From October 2022 to December 2024, almost $21 million in SNAP benefits were stolen, CBS News reported, citing data from the Illinois Department of Human Services. That amounted to almost 124,000 fraudulent transactions and impacted over 38,000 households. The state urges anyone experiencing SNAP fraud to report it here. But while SNAP fraud clearly has the potential to hurt the program's beneficiaries, it can also hurt innocent retailers, including small businesses like Alsham Supermarket and Bakery. Part of the reason Nazari's store was targeted was that he carries an array of expensive and unique items — something that could attract customers and criminals equally. Jim Morley, assistant special agent-in-charge with the U.S. Secret Service in Chicago, told CBS News that stores like Nazari's tend to be popular with scammers because their inventory isn't just pricey but also hard to find elsewhere. "Oftentimes, we see a particular store getting targeted because they're selling merchandise that the criminal is able to resell," Morley explained. Nazari, meanwhile, is taking steps to prevent future SNAP fraud at his business now that he's aware of the issue. He filed a report with the Lombard police as a starting point. He also gave them video and receipt copies related to the fraud Cunningham experienced in the hopes of helping law enforcement catch the scammer. He also installed 12 security cameras. The USDA has tips for retailers to help prevent SNAP fraud. It says to inspect point-of-sale machines and PIN pads regularly for tampering or skimming devices. It also suggests using cameras to monitor checkout areas and never allowing unscheduled service visits for point-of-sale equipment. The USDA also urges retailers to train employees to spot suspicious behavior. Charging a large amount of luxury items on a SNAP EBT card could be one red flag. Finally, any retailer that thinks it has been targeted by SNAP scammers should contact local law enforcement and its point-of-sale equipment provider. It should also call the USDA Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-424-9121. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
MDHS investigates EBT skimming cases in Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – People across the country and in Mississippi have reported they have been affected by EBT thefts through skimming. 'Skimming happens when you swipe or insert your card, and there's a reader that pulls the information off your PIN number, your card number and your name,' said Mark Jones, Chief Communications Office for the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS). Stolen funds cannot be reimbursed due to federal changes made in December 2024, but Jones said MDHS is actively investigating the cases. 'This hits Mississippi's most vulnerable residents hardest. And so, we want to be able to investigate and root out this type of fraud that is perpetuated against Mississippi's most vulnerable residents,' said Jones. SNAP changes proposed in GOP's 'big, beautiful bill.' Here's what to know He said cardholders should change their pins frequently and be mindful when creating them. 'Don't use a simple pen. Don't use sequential numbers. Don't do one, two, three, four. Don't do one, one, one. Don't use something that is synonymous with your birthdate or even your Social Security number,' Jones stated. Tiffany Williams, who lives in Jackson, said it's discouraging to go through the theft and be told nothing can be done. 'To say y'all can't do nothing, just fill out a form. I mean, that's kind of hurtful and like a slap in the face, like we don't care, you just got to wait another month to get your benefits,' she said. If you believe you have been a victim of SNAP EBT theft, MDHS requests that you call the Mississippi EBT cardholder service center at 1-866-512-5087 to report the card as compromised and create a new PIN. This will deactivate the card and send a new card to the account holder. Customers can learn more about requesting replacement benefits on the SNAP Fraud Benefit Replacement page. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nationwide EBT scam impacting Roanoke
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A nationwide scam has made its way to Roanoke. Low-income individuals who rely on SNAP benefits for their grocery shopping are arriving at the check-out counter only to find their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) funds are missing. Several local food banks say that scam is starting to have a big impact on their operations. 'If we've got more people on the list than we have food, then that means we have to limit just a little bit more of what they'd be getting,' said Darlene Lewis, executive director of the Hope Center in Roanoke, which provides one of several food banks across the city. They have begun to receive calls from folks impacted by the scam, which will drive up demand on their limited supply. 'We will be getting the first person that was impacted by that [scam], and they told me they had seven children,' said Lewis. 'That's a heavy load to lift.' That means people that have not been scammed, but who rely on local food banks for healthy food, could also be impacted. As of Friday morning, at least 10 people in Roanoke have filed welfare fraud reports to Roanoke Police, stating their EBT funds were missing. Roanoke City Benefit Manager Lindsey Campbell provided WFXR with this statement Friday, acknowledging that they are aware of the nationwide scam, and the fact that it is now impacting the local community: The City of Roanoke Department of Social Services is aware of a nationwide EBT skimming/scam that has been happening for several months. While this issue has affected individuals across the country, it has also impacted some residents locally. This has resulted in stolen benefits for some users—some of whom recently noticed their accounts had been depleted after making purchases through certain online retailers. Initially, local agencies were able to replace stolen benefits; however, as of December 20, 2024, we are no longer permitted to do so due to federal regulations. We understand this is a hardship for many affected individuals, which is why it is more important than ever to take precautions to protect your benefits. Don't click on those road toll texts. Officials issue warnings about the smishing scam We have always encouraged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to take precautions to protect their benefits. We advise EBT users to avoid utilizing third-party applications to manage their accounts and to be cautious when shopping online. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) has introduced a new card lock/unlock security feature to protect SNAP benefits. This feature helps safeguard customers' EBT cards from skimming and other fraudulent activities that attempt to steal card numbers and PINs. The ConnectEBT app is the only officially licensed app for Virginia SNAP EBT benefits. Additionally, VDSS has directed local agencies to track instances of fraud and report where fraudulent transactions are occurring. This information could be used to help identify the source of the problem and potential solutions. For more information or assistance, individuals are encouraged to contact their local Social Services office or visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website. The fact that local and state agencies are no longer to reimburse stolen funds is what makes this scam so damaging. 'This is not like somebody misusing your credit card where you can dispute it and get the charges reversed,' said Julie Wheeler, president of the Better Business Bureau serving Western Virginia. 'These things, you don't get your money back.' The BBB says the scam has been harder to prevent than many because criminals are using multiple methods to steal funds. 'We can't control that,' said Wheeler. 'How we can control that is by having our cards locked. Keeping them locked and only unlock them when you're using them.' The BBB and Virginia Department of Social Services both say you can do that by downloading the Connect EBT app, which allows users to easily freeze their account. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
