Massachusetts’ SUN Bucks summer benefit was hit by a large skimming fraud that drained roughly $855,000 across more than 10,000 transactions, officials say, prompting state action, federal notifications, and renewed calls for better EBT security and consumer precautions.
On June 1 Massachusetts began issuing SUN Bucks, a federal summer benefit that loads $120 per eligible child onto a separate EBT card. Within days, the Department of Transitional Assistance discovered about $855,000 stolen through more than 10,000 fraudulent transactions tied to card cloning and skimming. State investigators say the scheme involved fake point-of-sale devices placed in busy retail locations that allowed criminals to clone cards and withdraw funds before families could use them.
DTA reported the activity to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the United States Department of Agriculture for further investigation. The theft was detected by the department’s fraud systems, which flagged unusual activity and halted further losses. Officials emphasize that rapid detection limited the damage but that the loss still represents a serious hit to vulnerable families counting on summer food assistance.
“We know that families struggle during the summer when they lose access to the school breakfast and lunch that their kids depend on. The SUN Bucks program is a crucial lifeline for those families to make sure that no child goes hungry just because school is closed,” said DTA Commissioner Michael Cole. “I’m proud that DTA’s strong fraud detection system worked as intended, discovered this fraud and put a stop to it before it could get worse. There must be a full investigation into this, and anyone found responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In Massachusetts, we have always worked hard to prevent fraud and theft and make sure that our most vulnerable families receive the benefits they deserve from this federal program. We need the federal government to be a partner in that work as well.”
SUN Bucks is a federally authorized program that supplies summer grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children. Children who were enrolled in a National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program during the 2025-2026 school year and who receive SNAP, DTA cash benefits, certain MassHealth coverage, SSI with a relative caregiver, or are in foster care qualified for the $120 per child. Benefits are issued on a separate SUN Bucks EBT card and cannot be loaded onto an existing SNAP EBT card.
State officials are urging families to protect their benefits by changing PINs regularly and by using card lock and unlock features to prevent unauthorized use. DTA has rolled out card lock/unlock technology through the DTA Connect mobile app and its Cardholder Customer Service Line to give people direct control over their cards. The department also distributes an EBT card safety flyer with every issued card and forces re-pinning when there are known high-risk events.
Massachusetts plans to move toward chip-and-tap-enabled EBT cards to add another layer of security and reduce the effectiveness of skimming devices. The shift to chip-enabled cards is part of a broader effort many states are pursuing to harden EBT systems and protect taxpayer-funded benefits. Officials note that modernization combined with retailer outreach and law enforcement partnerships will be essential to deter large-scale schemes.
DTA says it uses eligibility interviews, verification, advanced data analytics, and non-criminal fraud investigations to protect program integrity. When fraud or misuse is found, the agency disqualifies individuals for violations, refers cases for prosecution, calculates overpayments, and establishes claims for repayment. Educational materials on protecting EBT cards and spotting scams are produced in multiple languages and are made available through the department’s information channels.
Large-scale skimming schemes in multiple states highlight systemic vulnerabilities, and state officials say they need stronger federal coordination to secure benefit systems nationwide. Recent communications from federal agencies underscore those vulnerabilities and the urgency of upgrades and better information sharing. Swift federal action, combined with state-level detection and retailer cooperation, is the path officials say will reduce incidents like this one.
Residents can report suspected fraud to DTA via the online reporting form, by emailing [email protected], or by calling the Fraud Hotline at 800-372-8399. Those who believe their benefits were stolen can find reporting instructions from the department, and families needing immediate food assistance are directed to the Project Bread Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.
- Card lock/unlock technology via DTA Connect and Cardholder Customer Service Line
- EBT card safety flyers distributed with new cards and forced re-pinning when risks are identified
- Education on PIN security and multi-language materials for clients
- Retailer outreach, information sharing, and law enforcement partnerships to detect skimming
