Data insights: October 2026 EBT theft trends
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Return to Propel’s EBT Theft Hub
Key findings#key-findings
- Virginia had the highest theft rate in the country in September at 0.40%, its highest monthly rate since at least 2024, driven by suspected skimming.
- Delaware climbed back to second (0.37%) after a dip in August.
- Georgia entered the top eight (0.25%) after a sudden spike in out-of-state liquidation.
- Indiana's rate fell from 0.45% in August to 0.26% in September after two months at the top. In Marion County, where Indiana's summer theft has been highest, the share of users affected dropped from 4.0% to 2.4% month over month.
Propel's theft detection capabilities#propels-theft-detection-capabilities
Propel serves over 5 million EBT cardholders nationwide who use our app to manage their benefits every month. We analyze transaction and customer-reported data to identify emerging theft patterns through a two-step detection process. First, we identify retailers with unusually high rates of transactions flagged as "unrecognized" by Propel users. These are retailers where stolen benefits appear to be drained or liquidated. Second, we identify skimmer locations by analyzing victims' shopping patterns in the 8-12 weeks prior to their card being liquidated.
Our insights are intended to provide a snapshot of emerging trends in EBT theft. We generate these analyses early in the month, when theft activity typically peaks following SNAP benefit deposits. Our data reflects real theft activity, but may show a slight upward bias since cardholders are more likely to check the app after experiencing theft. Given the rapidly evolving nature of EBT theft, our insights represent a current snapshot rather than a comprehensive assessment.
Recent theft patterns and spikes#recent-theft-patterns-and-spikes
Virginia had the highest theft rate in the country in September, with suspected skimming. Delaware climbed back to second after a dip in August. Georgia entered the top eight with a sudden spike in out-of-state liquidation. Indiana's rate fell by nearly half after two months at the top.
| Rank | July 2026 | August 2026 | September 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IN (0.48%) | IN (0.45%) | VA (0.40%) |
| 2 | DE (0.42%) | VA (0.29%) | DE (0.37%) |
| 3 | MD (0.26%) | AR (0.28%) | IN (0.26%) |
| 4 | NJ (0.25%) | CT (0.24%) | AR (0.25%) |
| 5 | CT (0.21%) | DE (0.23%) | GA (0.25%) |
| 6 | PA (0.20%) | IL (0.21%) | NJ (0.24%) |
| 7 | AR (0.19%) | NY (0.21%) | CT (0.22%) |
| 8 | NY (0.19%) | NJ (0.20%) | MD (0.22%) |
Fraction of transactions marked as unrecognized, by county (September 1–October 8, 2026)
Though Indiana still has a higher theft rate than most states, its rate fell from 0.45% in August to 0.26% in September. Indiana's summer theft has been highest in Marion County, where the share of users affected dropped from 4.0% to 2.4% month over month. Arkansas rates dropped slightly, with theft still concentrated in the Delta. New Jersey and Connecticut were roughly flat. Maryland returned to the top eight but as mentioned in previous reports, its transaction data lacks retailer identity, so skimmers there cannot be identified.
Virginia has the highest theft rate with suspected skimming#virginia-has-the-highest-theft-rate-with-suspected-skimming
Virginia's rate rose from 0.29% in August to 0.40% in September, the highest in the country and Virginia's highest monthly rate since at least 2024. Theft continues to spike in the first week of each month, and the week starting August 31 was Virginia's worst week since at least mid-2025.
Fraction of unrecognized transactions in Virginia vs. other states
Theft is largely concentrated in the Greater Richmond area and Hampton Roads (Richmond's unrecognized transaction rate was 3.7% in September, Norfolk's was 4.2%). But Staunton, to the west, saw the highest September rate: it went from 1.0% of users affected in August to 5.4% in September. 44% of Virginia users whose cards were drained in September and early October had shopped at stores identified as likely skimming locations before the theft.
Unrecognized transaction rate by county in Virginia (September 1–October 8, 2026)
Delaware climbs back to second#delaware-climbs-back-to-second
Unfortunately, Delaware's August decrease in theft rate was not the start of a downward trend. Delaware's rate rose from 0.23% in August to 0.37% in September, returning to the level it held from May through July.
Northern New Castle County has the highest rate, with 2.7% of users affected in September, while Sussex County in the south remains the lowest. No high-volume skimming locations could be identified.
Unrecognized transaction rate by county in Delaware (September 1–October 8, 2026)
Georgia theft spikes in McIntosh County#georgia-theft-spikes-in-mcintosh-county
Georgia's rate rose from 0.18% in August to 0.25% in September, entering the top eight for the first time in months. Starting September 5, Georgia cards were drained at out-of-state retailers purporting to be in the Bronx; Washington, DC; Philadelphia and its suburbs; and Camden, New Jersey.
Most of the state saw a flat theft rate. The increase came from a few smaller counties: 16% of the 225 users in coastal McIntosh County marked a transaction as unrecognized in September, up from under 2% in August. Floyd County and Jackson County also rose sharply.
Unrecognized transaction rate by county in Georgia (September 1–October 8, 2026)
Statewide, 17% of Georgia users whose cards were drained in September and early October had shopped at a store identified as a likely skimming location.
Ongoing support#ongoing-support
Propel is committed to supporting state and federal agencies in protecting SNAP recipients from EBT theft. For questions about our methodology or further analysis, please contact gov@propel.app.