The South Dakota Department of Social Services is investigating the potential misuse of accounts within a state food assistance program.

It involves Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, accounts.

A DSS spokesperson told SDPB the department began receiving reports of “irregularities” with SNAP benefits Monday morning.

Impacted EBT cards — essentially a debit card for SNAP accounts — were used at a variety of retailers, both in-store and online.

The DSS said no clear patterns have emerged. The department is analyzing the issue while working with local law enforcement agencies.

State officials are advising SNAP users to take precautions to protect benefits from misuse, including changing your pin, monitoring your account and blocking online and out-of-state transactions.