Since the economy went bad, there are a lot more people applying for food stamps at the Department of Children and Families.

"It's people who have lost jobs and are having to deal with living on unemployment, it's people on disability benefits, it's families that are working but just cannot make a living wage," said Cheryl Twombly, Community Partner Liaison for DCF.

There are about 165,000 people in north central Florida alone receiving food stamps, fourteen percent more than a year ago, according to DCF.

Last week an Alachua County man googled, "apply for food stamps," clicked on a website, and was scammed.

"Getfoodstampsnow.org" required the man to complete a credit check prior to applying, something DCF doesn't do.

"If at any point during an online application they are being asked to provide credit card information, or any kind of billing information, they need to stop, because that's not our website," said Twombly.

The correct website is: www.myflorida.com/accessflorida

"They'll see the Department of Children and Families prominantly displayed at the top of the website, it will say they're applying for 'access benefits,' and they'll know they're in the right place," she said.