TOPEKA, KS — The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is warning the public after a card-skimming device at a Wichita retail location resulted in nearly $10,000 in stolen food assistance benefits.
According to a media release from the agency, an investigation revealed that 46 Kansas households had their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds drained after a skimming device was illegally installed on a point-of-sale terminal. The stolen information was used to create fraudulent cards, with the agency receiving reports as early as January 5, 2026, that benefits were being spent as far away as Pennsylvania.
Investigation and Impact
The DCF investigation confirmed that all impacted cardholders had shopped at the same Wichita store. Approximately $9,800 in SNAP benefits has been confirmed stolen so far.
As a precaution, DCF has begun deactivating compromised cards and mailing new ones to affected residents. The agency also noted that further evidence suggests similar skimming activity may be occurring in the Kansas City, Kansas area.
Important Note: Due to the expiration of federal funding in December 2024 and a lack of state reimbursement funds, stolen SNAP and TANF benefits cannot be replaced.
How to Protect Your Benefits
With no avenue for reimbursement, DCF is urging all Kansas Benefits Card (EBT) holders to take immediate steps to safeguard their accounts using the ebtEDGE app or portal:
| Feature | Action to Take |
| Freeze/Unfreeze | Keep your card frozen at all times; unfreeze only when you are at the register. |
| Transaction Blocks | Block all out-of-state and online transactions unless you are actively using them. |
| PIN Management | Regularly change your 4-digit PIN. Avoid easy-to-guess numbers like birthdays. |
| Official Apps Only | Only use the official ebtEDGE app; third-party apps do not offer the same security. |
Red Flags for Skimming
- Physical Tampering: Look for loose, bulky, or misaligned card readers at checkout.
- Phishing Attempts: DCF and its contractor, FIS, will never call or text to ask for your card number or PIN.
- Suspicious Activity: Monitor your balance daily through the ebtEDGE portal.
If you suspect your card has been compromised, you should immediately visit ebtedge.com to report the fraud and request a replacement card.
