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Ohio warns of potential fraud in use of mobile app

State officials are warning Ohioans about the potential for fraud and identity theft from smartphone applications that claim to offer access to account balances for cash and food assistance programs.
Associated Press
Columbus
Jan 18, 2013

The mobile apps costing less than $2 require users to provide confidential financial information.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said Wednesday the agency does not recommend purchasing or downloading this type of app, which isn't approved by the state or its partners.

The department says it never charges individuals for access to account information. The agency is directing people to check their account information on the state's secure website.

Online: http://ODJFSbenefits.ohio.gov .

 

Comments

Unassumer
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 6:59am

Smart phones and apps are stupid. A waste of money. A waste of time. And just another way to track you.

Contango
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 7:39am

Why should the recipients care?

Won’t the State just reimburse 'em for any loss?

Besides, just raise state income taxes or fees to taxpayers in order to cover any waste, fraud or abuse involved with social welfare programs.

In 2012, Tax Freedom Day in OH was April, 12th.

Can't the slaves work a couple more days? After all, "it's for the children."

KnuckleDragger
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 7:57am

So what, if they are on assistance and can afford a smartphone along with the data plan then they can afford to absorb the loss.

doppleganger
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 8:26am

If they're on assistance they shouldn't have a smart phone. This is getting ridiculous. There are certainly more important things to spend my tax dollars on than their smartphone.

rickross2
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 1:42pm

90% of the apps want too much info. Go back to the flip phone.

reporter54
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 2:08pm

the government doesn't give out free smartphones to people on assistance. all they get is a very rudimentary phone that doesn't even have text message capability and a mere 200 minutes a month is loaded onto it. some people must have already had a smartphone and then somehow fell into poverty and thought well how do I apply for foodstamps and then fell for the scam; applying for food stamps is free and easy online (well for anyone that is literate and of average intelligence). don't get your panties in a wad thinking your taxes are paying for smartphones.

Contango
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 2:55pm

reporter54 writes:

"...don't get your panties in a wad thinking your taxes are paying for smartphones."

"Indirectly," taxpayers are paying for: Lottery tickets, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes AND smartphones.

Dr. Information
Sat, 01/19/2013 - 8:10am

^Good point Contango. No fraud here, just turn your head and look the other way. We can't make welfare recipients RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

A database of 200 million Electronic Benefit Transfer records from January 2011 to July 2012, obtained by The Post through a Freedom of Information request, showed welfare recipients using their EBT cards to make dozens of cash withdrawals at ATMs inside Hank’s Saloon in Brooklyn; the Blue Door Video porn shop in the East Village; The Anchor, a sleek SoHo lounge; the Patriot Saloon in TriBeCa; and Drinks Galore, a liquor distributor in The Bronx.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/loc...

luvblues2
Sun, 01/20/2013 - 12:06am

Any idiot that would use a cell phone to file taxes, deserves what they get.