You are correct.
A tv station here in Indiana obtained a file of debit card transactions for state TANF.
Vegas, Nevada brothels, Disney (CA and FL), Puerto Rico, yadda yadda.
It’s rough out there....
I’m not condoning it - but it really probably nothing new — it can just be tracked now, unlike when they just got a check and went to the bank and cashed it - then there was no record of where it was spent.