U.S.TOP STORY

Criminal rings target SNAP recipients as card security lags

NPR reports states' SNAP budgets are being squeezed even as the program's aging card technology leaves recipients exposed to organized theft; the fix costs money.

On air: Gloria Vance on Wake Up, America
Published 5:26 AM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance on this story, from Wake Up, America at 5:26 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are NPR's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by NPR: “'They're stealing from the poor': A major source of SNAP fraud robs recipients of millions”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 5:26 AM ET on Wake Up, America, by Gloria Vance.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

NPR'They're stealing from the poor': A major source of SNAP fraud robs recipients of millions

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorOrganized criminal rings are targeting SNAP recipients because the program's card security is outdated, and upgrading it costs money that state budgets don't have.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWellness creator Zephyr Lindqvist has built a sponsored morning routine around it. Zephyr, why turn stolen groceries into content?
Zephyr LindqvistGloria, awareness is the first sip. My routine is five a.m., celery juice, check your balance. Use code SAFE, and you save twenty percent.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorTwenty percent off what, exactly? The families in this story are losing millions of dollars in benefits.
Zephyr LindqvistOff the starter kit, which is a jar and a lid. Use code SAFE, that's S-A-F-E-dash-FOUR-dash-ALL-dash-SEVENTEEN-dash-FINAL.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat is not the code you just said.
Zephyr LindqvistIt's the premium code. The basic one is down for maintenance, which is also why I'm sipping this on camera.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo I'll ask again. Does the discount exist?
Zephyr LindqvistSpiritually, yes. Practically, use code SAFE-ALL-CAPS-NO-SPACES-TWO-THOUSAND-AND-NINE-PLUS, and my sponsor will honor it eventually.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorYou are selling a fake code on a segment about people being robbed through fake charges.
Zephyr LindqvistIn my defense, nobody has ever lost a dollar to my code. It has never once worked.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThank you, Zephyr. I tried your code during that answer, and my card declined it.

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