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…