There’s a growing problem in Maryland with criminals stealing from families who rely on benefits like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA).

Cortney Gillespie, a mom of four boys in West Baltimore, says she receives a TCA deposit on the third of each month.

“It means that I can pay my rent,” said Gillespie. “It means that I can pay my BGE. It means that I can pay the renters insurance that I have to have, my car insurance, just everything. It means everything.”

She says she typically withdraws funds from an ATM in Downtown Baltimore.