BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It was a hectic Monday morning at the Kern County Department of Human Services building after dozens of people said their cash assistance accounts have been drained.
“I was crying for about an hour,” said Branda Cofield.
At the start of the month, many receive their cash aid benefits and food stamps.
“I had my benefits stolen for the fourth time in the last two years,” said Lauren Kriewaldt.
“I went to WinCo, had the basket full of all of our food, go to swipe my card, it’s declined, so I call and I’m left with 97 cents on my card for the rest of the month,” Cofield said.
Thousands of dollars were taken from people’s accounts.