Vermont SNAP Recipients Hit With Email Scam
Technical analysis of the email links reveals a connection to Brand Engagement Network, Inc., a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange headquartered in Jackson, Wyoming.
A sophisticated email campaign is targeting recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. The emails appear to offer important information about benefit changes but are actually designed to collect personal information for commercial purposes.
The emails come from an address using the domain “snap-program.com” and claim to provide updates about “adjustments” to SNAP benefits. While the emails reference real events affecting the program, they are not official government communications.
How to Identify This Campaign
The Warning Signs
Official U.S. government websites use the .gov domain, not .com addresses. The legitimate USDA website for SNAP is fns.usda.gov/snap.
The emails use an “e.” subdomain (like e.snap-program.com), which is commonly associated with commercial bulk email marketing platforms rather than government communications.
The USDA explicitly warns consumers to “be aware of websites that mention food stamps and promise monthly payments” and advises people not to share personal information with links provided through email.
The Personalized Link
The emails contain links that are pre-populated with recipients’ personal information, including first name, last name, email address, and zip code. This indicates the senders already possess this data, likely obtained from third-party data brokers.
When someone clicks these links, they verify that their email address is active and that they’re a responsive target, making their information more valuable to sell.
The Real Events Being Exploited
The timing and messaging of these emails exploit three concurrent events that have created genuine confusion for SNAP recipients:
The Government Shutdown
On November 3, 2025, the New Jersey Attorney General warned residents about potential scams targeting SNAP recipients amid a federal government shutdown. The main U.S. government portal, usa.gov, carried a banner stating that “as a result of a temporary government shutdown, portions of this website are not being updated”.
That same day, mounting uncertainty affected nearly 42 million SNAP recipients as the administration was in court regarding the release of emergency contingency funds.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025
Signed into law on July 4, 2025, this legislation made substantial changes to SNAP eligibility that states were implementing throughout the fall.
The law expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents from age 49 to 64, removed previous exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals, and those 24 or younger who aged out of foster care, and significantly curtailed SNAP eligibility for non-citizens.
The Congressional Budget Office projected that new state cost-sharing requirements would “lead some states to drop out of the program entirely”.
The Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment
The USDA did announce a standard fiscal year 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that became effective on October 1, 2025. This routine adjustment resulted in slight increases to maximum benefit amounts.
The deceptive emails reference vague “adjustments,” intentionally conflating this minor, positive change with the major legislative overhaul and shutdown chaos.
Who Benefits From This Campaign
Technical analysis of the email links reveals a connection to Brand Engagement Network, Inc., a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange headquartered in Jackson, Wyoming.
The company describes itself as a “leading provider of conversational AI technology and human-like AI avatars” that pursues a “vertically-focused customer acquisition strategy” with “early industry targets” in “automotive, healthcare and financial services sectors”.
In the first quarter of 2025, the company announced collaborations aimed to “streamline insurance sales” and provide “financial wellbeing services”.
How the Campaign Works
The operation functions as a multi-step customer acquisition process:
Personal information about low-income individuals is purchased from data brokers
Deceptive emails are sent using anxiety about genuine SNAP changes as bait
Recipients who click are directed to websites where they’re encouraged to provide or confirm additional information
Automated systems, potentially using AI chatbots, “qualify” users with questions
The verified information about engaged, low-income individuals becomes “hot leads” sold to commercial clients in healthcare and financial services
The SNAP program itself is simply the lure used to identify and qualify people in a target demographic for other commercial services.
What Official Agencies Say
The USDA warns people to be aware of websites that ask for information in exchange for online guides, noting “they may share your information with outside sources”.
The agency specifically advises: “If you see any ad on the internet offering SNAP application assistance, don’t click it. It is a scam. Never provide any personal information on an unsecure website”.
State agencies in Tennessee and New York warn that they will never call or text to request an EBT card number or PIN.
How to Get Legitimate SNAP Information
Official Channels Only
Individuals must apply for SNAP in the state where they live. The federal government does not process applications or have access to individual case information.
Applications are handled directly by state or local SNAP offices, and an official state directory is available at fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory.
Protecting Your Benefits
Many states use the ebtEDGE mobile app and web portal (www.ebtEDGE.com), developed by a legitimate government contractor, which allows recipients to freeze and unfreeze their EBT card to prevent theft.
What You Should Do
If You Received This Email
Do not click any links in the email, including “unsubscribe” links. Clicking confirms your email is active and validates your information.
Do not reply to the email.
Delete the email and mark it as spam or phishing in your email program to help protect others.
Reporting the Scam
Report deceptive SNAP-related emails to the USDA Office of Inspector General online at usdaoig.oversight.gov or by calling (800) 424-9121.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which handles deceptive marketing practices, at consumer.ftc.gov/scams.
Protecting Yourself
If you received this email, assume your name, email address, and zip code are on commercial marketing lists. Be alert for other unsolicited contacts about healthcare, insurance, or financial services.
If you have legitimate questions about SNAP benefit changes, contact your state SNAP office directly using contact information from official government sources, not from emails or commercial websites.
What Happens Next
The deceptive website associated with this campaign is now inaccessible, which is typical for these operations. The domains are often registered, used for short, intense campaigns, then abandoned to avoid detection and regulatory investigation.
However, because personal information has been collected and verified through this campaign, recipients may continue to receive targeted marketing attempts through other channels, including phone calls and additional emails from different sources.
State and federal agencies continue to warn about scams targeting SNAP recipients, particularly during periods of administrative confusion or benefit changes. Vermont residents should remain vigilant and rely only on official .gov websites and direct contact with state agencies for information about their benefits.
Anyone with concerns about their SNAP benefits or eligibility should contact their local Vermont office directly rather than responding to unsolicited communications.