DCF Aware of Possible EBT Card Skimming Event in Kansas City Impacting Several Hundred Kansans
Cardholders urged to take preventative measures to safeguard accounts
Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is aware of a recent event where a possible skimming device(s) was used in the Kansas City metro area resulting in the theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits from over 300 Kansas households.
Ongoing investigation; what is known at this time
On Jan. 5, 2026, DCF received notification from several Kansans that their benefits were being used in Pennsylvania. DCF immediately began investigating and deactivating cards that had been used at a suspected location as a precaution to prevent additional theft of benefits.
Further investigation by DCF indicates possible skimming activity associated with Kansas Benefits Cards (electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards) in the Kansas City, Kansas area. DCF is looking into one or more stores in a concentrated area where the skimming may have occurred.
Skimmers are devices criminals use to steal data from credit, debit and EBT cards. These devices are illegally placed on point-of-sale terminals to capture card data. The criminals then use the data to create fake cards and make illegal purchases. Criminals may be making purchases in other states because skimming events are often part of a larger theft ring.
As of now, DCF is aware of this event affecting 328 SNAP recipients with a total of approximately $46,000 in stolen benefits, and 17 TANF recipients with a total of approximately $4,400 in stolen benefits.
Affected cardholders should receive notice in the mail. Cardholders with Self-Service Portal accounts will receive a text message informing them they have a message to review in the portal. Affected cardholders will receive new Kansas Benefits Cards mailed to their homes.
How to help prevent EBT card theft
Stolen benefits cannot be replaced. DCF strongly encourages cardholders to use the free ebtEDGE app from DCF’s EBT contractor, Fidelity Information Services (FIS), or the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal at
ebtedge.com to monitor their account and help further safeguard their benefits by using the following features:
- Freeze the EBT card when not using it. Cardholders must unfreeze the card when they are ready to make a purchase.
- Block out-of-state and online transactions. Cardholders will have to unblock these transactions when they want to make an out-of-state or online purchase.
- Regularly change the four-digit PIN and use number combinations that are not easy for others to figure out. For example, don’t use birthdays or anniversaries.
Third-party EBT apps do not provide the same protection features as ebtEDGE. The ebtEDGE app can be accessed in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Cardholders are also encouraged to beware of phishing attempts, and they should not share their card info or the PIN over the phone or via text message. DCF and FIS will never call or text cardholders and explicitly ask for their card number or PIN. Learn more about protecting EBT cards at
ebtcards.dcf.ks.gov.
What should cardholders do if they suspect their card has been compromised?
If a cardholder suspects their EBT card has been compromised, they should immediately report the suspected fraud and request a new card by calling ebtEDGE Customer Service at 1-800-997-6666 or online at
ebtedge.com.
Will stolen benefits be replaced?
Federally funded replacement for stolen SNAP and TANF benefits ended in December 2024. In addition, there is no state money available for reimbursement. This means stolen SNAP and TANF benefits cannot be replaced.